Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

A Comparative Analysis of the Content Characteristics of the Manuscript Khaza'in al-Malakut by Abdi Beig Shirazi and the Illustrated Qisas al-Anbiya of the Safavid Period

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Leila Abedi 1
Morteza Jafari 2
Farah Niazkar 3
1 Ph.D. student, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature Department, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2023.411946.2270
Abstract
The extant cultural and literary heritage of any land reflects the breadth of information and culture of its predecessors, regarding their thought structures, philosophical frameworks, and the fundamental perspectives of their creators, which it transmits to the new generation. Among the legacies of the Safavid era is Khaza'in al-Malakut, a work by Zayn al-Abidin Ali, known by the pen names "Navidi" and "Abdi," which is a manuscript that has not yet been edited and published. This article aims to conduct a structural analysis of the Khaza'in al-Malakut manuscript, emphasizing the analysis of its content characteristics and comparing them with the illustrated Qisas al-Anbiya of the Safavid period. The present research is based on library studies and employs a descriptive-analytical method. In the mathnavi Khaza'in al-Malakut, the poet has named each of the seven sections a Khazaneh (treasure); the content of the Khazaneh lies in the recognition of God and praise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), eulogies of the Shi'a Imams and their virtues, the imperatives and prohibitions of governance, benevolence towards the public and elite, the essence of love and affection, and accounts of the author's own circumstances and the setbacks of himself and his companions, which the poet has created a remarkable work in over 7,580 couplets by using innovative expressions and alluding to verses from the Qur'an, hadith, and narratives. The mathnavi Khaza'in al-Malakut is important for several reasons: the importance of Abdi's theological dimensions and religious beliefs, as he considers divine proximity to be contingent upon the recognition of God, acknowledgement of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), and devotion to his family. In social dimensions, the poet considers moral virtues and proper conduct to be conducive to human development and emphasizes the importance of women. In the political dimensions, he considers governance and piety to be intertwined. He mentions historical events of that period within the narratives. Furthermore, the poet's mastery of Persian and Arabic literature, his familiarity with the Qur'an and hadith, and his articulation of numerous virtues and narratives indicate his extensive knowledge in various fields. In the illustrated Qisas al-Anbiya, illustration has also been addressed in parallel with Qur'anic themes.
Research Objectives

To understand Khaza'in al-Malakut and examine and analyze its intellectual, linguistic, and literary dimensions.
To edit and analyze the manuscript, transform it into a printed edition, and compare it with the illustrated Qisas al-Anbiya.

Research Questions

What are the structures and characteristics of the Khaza'in al-Malakut manuscript?
What are the content characteristics of the Khaza'in al-Malakut manuscript?
Keywords
Manuscript
Khaza'in al-Malakut
Abdi
Navidi
content characteristics

Subjects

Holy Quran
Abdi Beig Shirazi, Divan-e Abdi Big (Emam Jomeh Manuscript) No. 362. Tehran: Central Library of Tehran University, (Manuscript). [In Persian]
Abdi Beig Shirazi, Kulliyat-i Navidi (Navidi's Collected Works) No. 2425. Tehran: Central Library of Tehran University, (Manuscript). [In Persian]
Abdi Beig Shirazi, Mazhar al-Asrar (1986). (The Manifestation of Secrets). Edited by Rahimov, Abolfazl Hashem Oghli, Moscow: (Administration of Knowledge Publications). [In Persian]
Abdi Beig Shirazi, (2012). Salaman va Absal. Edited and Annotated by Modarresi, Fatemeh, and Rezaei Hamzeh Kandi, Vahid, Urumia: Uta Publisher. [In Persian]
Abdi Beig Shirazi, (1990). Takmelat al-Akhbar (Supplement to History). Edited and Annotated by Nava'i, Abolhasan, Tehran: Nashr-e Ney (Ney Publishing). [In Persian]
Asghari Hashemi, Mohammad Javad. (2016). Sheiva-nameh-ye Tashih-e Motun (Style Guide for Text Correction). Rahnamaye Tahqiq va Ehyaye Motun-e Khatti (Research Guide and Revival of Manuscripts), Qom: Dalile Ma. [In Persian]
Brown, Edward. (1990). A Literary History of Persia from the Safavids to the Present Day. Translated by Moghaddami, Bahram, Tehran: Morvarid Publications. [In Persian]
Kashani, Mohtasham. (2010). Kolliyat (Complete Works). Edited by Feizi Kashani, Mostafa. Tehran: Sureh Mehr Publications. [In Persian]
Kashi, Taghi al-Din. (2005). Tazkereh-ye Khulasat al-Ash'ar (Summary of Poems). Edited by Adib Boroumand, Abdolali, Tehran: Miras-e Maktub. [In Persian]
Karimzadeh Tabrizi, Mohammad Ali. (1997). Ahval va Asar-e Naghashan-e Qadim-e Iran (The Lives and Works of Old Painters of Iran). Tehran: Mustofi Publications. [In Persian]
Mael Heravi, Najib. (1990). Naghd va Tashih-e Motun (Criticism and Correction of Texts). Mashhad: Astan Quds Razavi Research Foundation. [In Persian]
Safa, Zabihollah. (1988). Tarikh-e Adabiyat dar Iran (History of Literature in Iran) (Vol. 5, Part 2). 2nd ed., Tehran: Ferdows Publications. [In Persian]
Safavi, Sam Mirza. (1935). Tazkereh-ye Tohfeh-ye Sami (The Anthology of Sami's Gift). Edited and Compared by Dastgerdi, Vahid, Tehran: Armaghan Printing House. [In Persian]
Sedaghat, Masoumeh. (2007[1386]). "The Prophets of Determination in the Paintings of Qisas al-Anbiya by Abu Ishaq Neishabouri." Motale'at-e Honar-e Eslami (Studies in Islamic Art), No. 7, pp. 23-46. [In Persian]