Rare manuscripts of Quranic exegesis in the King Abdulaziz Public Library
The King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh continues its pioneering role in preserving Arab and Islamic heritage, recently announcing its acquisition of a unique collection of over 185 rare manuscripts specializing in the sciences of Quranic exegesis. This step highlights the intellectual treasures held by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reflecting the depth of Islamic civilization spanning centuries, and providing researchers and specialists with authentic references for studying religious sciences and the Arabic language.
The manuscript “Gharib al-Qur’an” by Abu Ubaidah: A gem of Andalusian heritage in the King Abdulaziz Public Library
Among the most prominent treasures housed in the King Abdulaziz Public Libraryis an extremely rare manuscript dating back to the fourth century AH, entitled "Gharib al-Qur'an" (The Strange Words of the Qur'an), authored by the renowned linguist Abu Ubaidah Ma'mar ibn al-Muthanna al-Taymi al-Basri (d. 209 AH). This precious manuscript consists of 23 folios measuring 17 x 22 cm, and is distinguished by its clear and legible early Andalusian script, while the names of the surahs are written in the ancient Kufic script.
Abu Ubaidah was one of the leading scholars of his time, leaving behind a vast scholarly legacy of over 200 works. Al-Jahiz described him, saying, "There was no one on earth more knowledgeable in all sciences than him." Among his other famous works are: *Majaz al-Qur'an* (The Metaphors of the Qur'an), *Naqa'id Jarir wa al-Farazdaq* (The Contradictions of Jarir and al-Farazdaq), *Ma'athir al-'Arab* (The Achievements of the Arabs), and *Tabaqat al-Shu'ara'* (The Classes of Poets).
The diversity of interpretive and linguistic schools throughout the ages
The library's holdings are not limited to Abu Ubaidah's manuscript; they also include a rich heritage archive containing other rare manuscripts, such as "The Grammatical Analysis and Meanings of the Qur'an" by Abu Ishaq ibn Sahl al-Zajjaj (d. 311 AH), copied in the fifth century AH. The library also preserves a manuscript of "The Interpretation of Difficult Passages of the Qur'an" by Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawari (d. 276 AH), an ancient copy dating back to the seventh century AH.
In addition, the archive includes parts of “Jami’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an,” known as Tafsir al-Tabari, by Abu Ja’far al-Tabari (d. 310 AH), written on 77 parchments and dating back to the sixth century AH, and the book “Ma’ani al-Qur’an al-Karim wa Tafsiruhu” by Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Naqqash (d. 351 AH), copied in the seventh century AH.
The scientific importance and cultural impact of Qur'anic manuscripts
These rare collections are of paramount importance at the local, regional, and international levels. From a scholarly perspective, these manuscripts offer researchers a unique opportunity to study the evolution of Arabic script, grammatical schools, and interpretive methodologies that preceded or were contemporaneous with the major exegetes. They also contribute to enriching systematic scholarly research by providing previously unpublished, critically edited texts.
On a cultural and civilizational level, this announcement reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a global center for preserving Islamic manuscript heritage. These Qur'anic manuscripts, numbering in the hundreds, are distributed across four main areas: exegesis (tafsir), recitations and intonation (tajwid) and certifications (ijazah), Qur'anic sciences, and the Holy Qur'an itself.
A sustainable vision for preserving Islamic identity
Through the unveiling of these holdings, the library aims to bridge the gap between the past and present, and to introduce new generations to the scientific and intellectual advancements achieved by early Muslims. By digitizing these manuscripts and making them accessible to the public, the library contributes to the preservation of Islamic cultural identity and provides reliable scholarly material that serves all of humanity and supports the field of Oriental studies and international academic research in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
