An Introduction to Manuscript of “Anwar Al-Fasaha Wa Asrar Al-Bara'ah Fi Sharh Nahj Al-Balagha” by Nizam Al-Din Gilani
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WALIA journal 31(S3): 97-104, 2015 Available online at www.Waliaj.com ISSN 1026-3861 © 2015 WALIA An introduction to manuscript of “Anwar al-Fasaha wa Asrar al-Bara’ah Fi Sharh Nahj al-Balagha” by Nizam al-Din Gilani (11 th Century A.H. / 17 th Century A.D.) Masomeh Zare * Ph.D. student, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran Abstract: This precious manuscript comprises a translation and commentary of Nahj al-Balagh. Some have considered it to be an abridged version of Commentary by Ibn Haytham, but the commentator stated in the introduction to this book that his book was based on the results of his studies on commentaries of Ibn Meysam, Ibn Abi al-Hadid, and other commentaries, and especially the very text of Nahj al-Balagh, because like in the Qur’an, one section provided interpretation of another section in Nahj al-Balagh. The commentator prepared this manuscript in three volumes, and provided an introduction in four chapters to the entire book. Chapter one: On (rational) signification, and related topics. Chapter two: On figures of speech such as clarification and embellishment. Chapter three: On rhetoric. Chapter four: On imamate. This commentary includes the entire text of Nahj al-Balagh along with Persian translation with Arabic commentary following the text of each sermon or saying. This manuscript has yet to be edited and published, with few copies thereof being available from The University of Tehran Library, Malek National Library catalogue, Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi Library, and Arabic Heritage Revival Center at Qom, Sepahsalar School Library, Yemen Library, and Astan Quds Razawi Library. Key words: Nizam al-Din Gilani; Commentary on Nahj al-Balagha; Commentaries; Features of Anwar al-Fasaha 1. Introduction remained untouched by the development of human thought over time, as it is beyond time and place. * As Imam Khomeini said, “Nahj al-Balagha is the In the period between 1 st and 3 rd centuries A.H. second most important book after the Qur’an, (7 th -9th centuries A.D.), the pieces of words of Imam providing instructions about the material, and Ali (PBUH) should be found in different historical spiritual life, and the redemption of the human. Its and hadith books. Seyyed Razi compiled Nahj al- instructions about spiritual life and administration of Balagha in the late 3 rd century A.H. (the early 10 th government show the best way towards human century A.H.) from the speech and writing narrated redemption” (Testament, 2012). This book has not from Imam Ali (PBUH) in different books. Although only remained untouched by time, but also become other people before him had also made efforts to increasingly more attractive and clarified over time, collect the words of Imam Ali (PBUH) (Shahrestani, because Nahj al-Balagha is the brother of the Qur’an, 1988), it was Seyyed Razi’s work become the and like the Qur’an, it is eternal. Nahj al-Balagha has prominent one because Seyyed Razi selected the always attracted attention of the scholars and eloquent pieces of the words of Imam Ali (PBUH). researchers, and been admired by them. This book that was completed in 400 A.H. (1009 All nations and scholars from every systems of A.D.) included 421 sermons (236, 237, 239, 241, or thought, religions, and faiths, including Sunnis or 242 sermons), 79 letters, and 470 sayings. Nahj al- Shiites or Christian or Jewish, admire this book Balagha is so deep and eloquent that it has been humbly. The words of Nahj al-Balagha are so fresh called “the brother of the Qur’an”. And some have that no reader comes to think that this book was considered it to be “below the words of God but written 1400 years ago. above all the human speeches” (Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Today in technological era, we need to properly 1958). This noble book not only has remained fresh transfer the precious heritage of the ancestors to the and attractive centuries after it was written, but also present and future generations. We should execute has become even more attractive, which miracle is the instructions of take such sources of knowledge due to its thematic and formal qualities. Such and insight as Nahj al-Balagha, rather than using qualities are not found in any other book but the them for merely theoretical studies. While most of Quran. Imam Ali (PBUH) said about the Qur’an, “The human cultural heritage have either disappeared Qur’an is a book with beautiful appearance and a over time, or turned to museum objects as signs of deep meaning, with its wonders never ending, and extinct thoughts and lifestyles, Nahj al-Balagha has its meanings never become obsolete” (Nahj al- Balagha, 1993). According to a similar statement, neither its wonders are uncountable, nor does its meaning become obsolete, Nahj al-Balagha has * Corresponding Author. 97 Masomeh Zare / WALIA, 31(S3) 2015, Pages: 97-104 modeled on the Qur’an in terms of content and form” 3. Bibliography (Ayashi, 1960). Seyyed Razi died at the age of 47 in 1015 at the Many scientific, philosophic, mystic, hadith, height of scientific and political fame. Among his theological works, etc. of this scholar have been numerous works, Nahj al-Balagha has become cited, but there is difference between scholars as to famous around the world, so that this work has whether such works are really those of his. become an eternal work, and been translated into Adab al-Sabiyan: This is philosophical book in a different languages. simple Persian language about subjects, boundaries, and procedures of sciences (Catalogue of Persian 2. Biography manuscripts). Adab al-Muta’alimin: This is philosophical book Nizam al-Din Ahmad Ibn Sadr al-Din Ali Ibn in Arabic about subjects, objectives, education, Hassan Ibn Malek Lahiji Gilani, known as Hakim al- knowledge, boundaries of sciences, and perfection of Mulk, was a prominent Shiite Iranian literary soul, including historical points, drawn up in a scholar, physician, theologian, Astronomer, hadith number of papers, for novice audience. scholar, jurist, mystic and philosopher; and his Horizons, souls and rationale behind the creation: works suggest that he was practiced in most fields of This is a mystic book in Persian in elucidation of the science, especially medicine. However, despite his thinking about the universe and human soul. It high scientific and political rank in the court of seems that the commentator wrote this to elaborate Indian Qutb Shahi dynasti (Muhsin Amin; Agha verses 54 of sura Fussilat (Malek National Library Bozorg Tehrani), the details of his life and works are catalogue). unknown. Details of his scientific life and date of Refutation of reincarnation: This is a theologian death of the scientist is not known, the exact name of and philosophical book in Persian in explanation and his is also disputed; in some sources like as refutation of reincarnation from view of Shiism Rayhanah al-adab (Mudarrisi), his name is said to be (Catalogue of Persian books). Nizam al-Din Ali ibn Hussein ibn Nizam al-Din Gilani Adwiyah Bahiyah: This is medical book in Persian Muridani, or Nizam al-Din Ahmad ibn Ali Gilani, with about spices used to strengthen sexual potency no explicit mention of whether these two names (Senate Library catalogue). refer to the same person. Asrar al-Atibba’: This is a short book in Persian However, it is more likely that these two names about medical issues and properties of medicines. refer to the same person, as some careful This book is prepared in four chapters, and is biographers such as late Thiqat al-Islam Tabrizi in dedicated to Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah Hindi (1625- Mir’at al- Kutub wrote that these two names refer to 1672), the ruler of Golkonda, in Hyderabad of Deccan the same person. (n.d); also, given in his manuscript Plateau (Agha Bozorg Tehrani; Catalogue of Persian has been found in al-Anwar al-Fasaha wa Asrar al- book). Balagha, an image of which manuscript is kept at Elements and mood of the human and the animal Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi Library, his exact name has and knowledge of countenance: This is a book in been recorded as Hakim al-Mulk Nizam al-Din Persian bout esotericism and how to know the truth, Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Hasan Muridani Lahiji Gilani, it and some of the temperaments and behaviors of a seems that this firm evidence can finally resolve the person from his countenance (Catalogue of Persian disputes about his name. Hakim al-Mulk Nizam manuscripts; Catalogue of Persian books). Gilani was born in Lahijan in 993 A.H. (1585 A.D.) to Musicology: This a short book in Persian about a scholarly family. After having learned the basics in the primary principles and secondary principles of his homeland, he resided in Isfahan in 1616-1628 to musicology (Agha Bozorg Tehrani). continue with his studies, where he studied under Uusl al-anasir wa kayfiyatiha bi al-quwwah: This such prominent scholars as Sheikh Baha’i and Mir is short book in Persian about natural sciences, Damad. Then, in 1628-1630, like many of his about the four elements and their quality in the contemporary scholars and poets, he moved to India, nature and human body (Catalogue of Persian where he lived in Delhi in the Gurkani court and in manuscripts; Catalogue of Persian books,). Daulatabad in the court of Mahabat Khan. Later, after Qaza’, al-jannah, wa …: This is short medical and conquest of castle of Daulatabad, he went to the ideological book in Arabic (Catalogue of Persian court of Qutb Shahis in Hyderabad of Deccan Plateau books).