Journal of Codicology and Manuscript Research
(In persian: Pizhūhish/hā-yi nuskhah/shināsī va taṣḥīḥ-i mutūn)

Journal of Codicology and Manuscript Research (In persian: Pizhūhish/hā-yi nuskhah/shināsī va taṣḥīḥ-i mutūn)

Manuscriptology of Tazkirat al-Abrar

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Allameh Tabatba'i University
2 Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
Abstract
Through the study of a work's manuscripts, it becomes possible to carry out precise editing, comprehensive analysis, and to fill the gaps in the knowledge of manuscript studies. Tazkirat al-Abrar is a work with mystical themes, describing the lives of Sufi Sayyids in the Indian subcontinent who were initiated into various Sufi orders. Some of the prominent figures among them also served in military and governmental affairs. This book is largely unknown to most scholars and has not been introduced or published elsewhere. The purpose of this article is to identify the manuscripts of Tazkirat al-Abrar, clarify the ambiguity surrounding its true author, and ultimately examine the stylistic features of the manuscript housed at the Malek National Library in Tehran. This theoretical study uses a descriptive-analytical method to collect, compare, and draw final conclusions on the subject. Linguistically, the dominant style of the Mughal period is evident in the frequent use of compound adjectives, participial forms, equivalent adjective-noun pairs, weak sentence structures, Indian and Gujarati vocabulary, Persian words commonly used in the subcontinent, and unconventional plural forms such as Afaghina (Afghans) in this tazkira (biographical compendium). From a content perspective, the use of miraculous acts attributed to the sheikhs, followed by discussions on sainthood in Sufism, Welayah, Tawhid, knowledge of the divine, and the significance of the kherqa (successorship cloak), are more frequent.
Keywords
Subjects

عدم تعارض منافع

نویسندگانی که نام‌هایشان ذکر شده است تأیید می‌کنند که هیچ وابستگی یا مشارکتی با هیچ سازمان یا نهادی که منافع مالی (مانند حق‌الزحمه؛ کمک‌های آموزشی؛ شرکت در سخنرانی‌ها؛ عضویت، استخدام، مشاوره، مالکیت سهام یا سایر منافع مالی؛ و شهادت کارشناسی یا ترتیبات مجوز اختراعات) یا منافع غیرمالی (مانند روابط شخصی یا حرفه‌ای، وابستگی‌ها، دانش یا باورها) در موضوع یا مواد مورد بحث در این دست‌نوشته ندارند.

Conflict of Interest 

The named authors confirm that they have no affiliations or involvement with any organization or entity with financial interests (such as fees; educational grants; participation in lectures; membership, employment, consulting, stock ownership, or other financial interests; expert testimony or patent licensing arrangements) or non-financial interests (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
October 2025
Pages 215-243

  • Receive Date 27 July 2024
  • Revise Date 11 October 2024
  • Accept Date 23 October 2024
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025