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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

We could really use some ease right now.

Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Hello friends and moon-faced beloveds 💗 About this account: I made this to share the beauty of Islamic literature / art & to keep up my practice of translating Classical Arabic. I use alt text to describe images and also add museum reference info there. All are welcome except haters ✨

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ArabLit & ArabLit Quarterly @arablit.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Finally, Radwa Ashour's complete Granada trilogy is available in Kay Heikkenen's English translation. Today on ArabLit, authors, translators, & scholars reflect: arablit.org/2024/12/10/a...

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

The poets used to say: “A situation may leave souls in distress, but there is a way out, just as knots can unravel.” #poetry #arabic #quote #syria #poem #wisdom

‎ربما تجزع النفوس من الامر
‎له فرجه كحل العقال

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

“There is nothing hidden in the heavens or the earth that is not written in a clear Record.” — The Qur’an, 27:75 #quran #koran #islam #islamic #quote #calligraphy #arabic #manuscript #islamicart #art #artsky

Verse 27:75 written in Eastern Kufic script, in a Qur'an made in the 11th century, probably in Iran (Smithsonian F2001.16a-b ).

وَمَا مِنْ غَآئِبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۢ مُّبِينٍ

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

“Do good unto others, just as you would have them do good unto you.” — ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib #quote #arabic #wisdom #islamic #nahj #ali #islam #ethics

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

A foreign princess arrives with her entourage at the palace of Khosrow I (d. 579). Illustration done in 16th-century Iran, in The Book of Kings - a medieval epic poem in Persian. #islamic #art #artsky #history #manuscript #persian #painting #iran #shahnameh #illustration #islamicart

Detail from a scene from a 16th-century copy of the Book of Kings, made in Iran (S1986.271), showing the Khaqan's daughter arriving at Nushirwan's palace.

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

“If you wrong someone, fear the sting of their hatred. For whoever plants thorns will not harvest grapes.” — an old Arab proverb #quote #arabic #wisdom #proverb #poetry

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

“Knowledge without action is insanity, and action without knowledge is nothing at all.” — Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111) #quote #knowledge #wisdom #ghazali #learning #praxis #arabic

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

“Ask questions for the sake of actually learning something. Do not ask questions just to challenge someone or make them look foolish.” — ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib #quote #wisdom #islam #knowledge #education #ali

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

“More wisdom = less talking.” — ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib

A line of bold, blue Arabic in thuluth script, from a manuscript pairing Arabic sayings with Persian commentary, made in 18th-century Iran (LoC 2017406683).

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Dr. Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Alright *cracks knuckles* let's do this! Today I'm inaugurating an episodic Monday series titled History of Islamic Art in 100 Objects. But we have to ask the most important question first: What is Islamic art? Also, why is this even a question? 🧵 #IslamicArt100Objects

A horizontally-aligned panel consisting of four images of works of Islamic art: a page of black calligraphy on a peach-colored ground, a red and gold textile with a pattern of wavy vines and leaves, a manuscript painting featuring birds in a blue, green, and gold landscape with a gold sky, and a manuscript page with a central radiating medallion painted in intricate geometric and floral patterns in blue, gold, and red. Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/islamic-art

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Joumana Medlej @majnouna.com · 24/11/2024

Did you know I publish a #Substack that has a large, free-to-read archive of articles based on my own research? It's called #Caravanserai: "An artist lighting her way through dark times by relearning forgotten art practices and natural ways." Check it out on majnouna.substack.com

Thumbnails with titles for three articles: Blue of Blues, Zafimaniry Geometry, and A Mamluk Masterpiece.

Thumbnails with titles for three articles: Lost Symbols, Quest for Lost Dyes, and Heavenly Figures

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Someone tried something like this before but when it inevitably spit out inaccurate info, people reached out to them and convinced them to stop the project. They also apologized.

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

al-Rahman: “the Most Compassionate, the Giver of Grace and Mercy”

The word 'al-rahman' in Arabic, in a Kufic family script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in the 10th century, probably in Iran (F1932.55)

ٱلرَّحْمَانِ

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

“God does not guide those who do evil.” — Qur’an 2:25 #quran #islam

Line of Arabic in Muhaqqaq script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in 15th-century Shiraz (CBL Is 1502):

وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

“The essence of religion is good character. If someone outshines you in character, they have surpassed you in religion.” — Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 1350)

Circular illumination pattern with gold, red blue and green floral patterns around a gold center, in a 16th century Persian manuscript (Walters W.624)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 29/07/2023

“Do you want to know what has a higher degree than prayer, fasting and charity? ‎Repairing a friendship. ‎A ruined friendship cuts away at everything else.” ‎— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

Detail of an illustration showing two women hanging out on an ornately tiled green rooftop with a large dome in the background. From a 16th century copy of Nizami's Khamsa, auctioned at Christie's on 31 Mar 2022.

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

“So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with every hardship, there is ease.” — Qur’an 94:5-6

Qur'an 94:5-6 in maghribi script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in the 13th century, possibly in Morocco (Detroit Institute of Arts):

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

“A man should not have intercourse with his wife unless he has done foreplay with her, and he recognizes desire in her eyes.” — Abū al-Layth al-Samarqandī (d. 983)

A couple in bed, under an elaborately decorated wall and arch. (Khalili MSS 1030, folio 516)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Friends, I am still around, and wishing you well. Just very very busy recently. Wonderful to see you here!

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

People of wisdom among the Arabs used to say: “Nothing invites ruin, curses or calamity more than upholding the wrongdoing of an oppressor.” — Abu Bakr al-Dinawari (d. 944)

Geometric composition based on gold and blue illumination from a 15th century Persian manuscript. (Met 13.228.4)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

“How can I help you if God has snatched mercy from your hearts?” ‎— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

Black, gold and pearl-colored geometric and floral patterns, based on 17th century engraved patterns from an accessory made in 17th-century India. (Met 1996.3a, b)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 11/09/2023

“Sometimes the thing you ask for is not given to you, and eventually you receive something greater. The thing you wanted was pushed away by what was better for you.” — ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib

Geometric composition of a series of six-petaled flower shapes withing a six-pointed star shape, made from part of the cover decoration for a 16th century copy of 'Attar's Mantiq al-Tayr, held in the University of Michigan library.

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 21/08/2023

“You will not have what you seek until you let go of what you desire. And you will not attain what you love unless you can endure what you hate.” — Jesus (upon him be peace)

Glistening floral patterns in gold, over a dark maroon background, with purple fading in from the corners. (Mich. Isl. Ms. 350)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 01/08/2023

An artist's touch can transform the mundane into something profoundly beautiful. The text at center is not a wise saying or religious teaching. It simply says: "The letter 𝘚𝘢𝘥 (ص) with an 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘧 (ا)." But the hand of Sultan Muhammad Nur (d. ~1536) has made it a masterpiece.

Magisterial calligraphy page, with large text in the center reading:

حرف الصاد مع الالف

Made in 16th-century Iran by Sultan Muhammad Nur. (Met 1982.120.4)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 01/08/2023

Where are the Islamic(ate) studies folks at? Any recommendations?

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 29/07/2023

“Do you want to know what has a higher degree than prayer, fasting and charity? ‎Repairing a friendship. ‎A ruined friendship cuts away at everything else.” ‎— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 26/07/2023

“Knowledge becomes degraded when you debate with everyone who tries to debate you, and when you reply to everyone who shares their opinion with you.” — Imam al-Shafi‘i

Composition: a symmetrical pattern formed by blue, orange-red and muted green lines and floral decorations from a 17th century Persian ceramic painting. (Met 91.1.92)

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Laury Silvers/Jayne Green @laurylsilvers.bsky.social · 25/07/2023

If you are wondering what I do with Islamic history in my historical mysteries -- and why The Sufi Mysteries Quartet is taught in university courses -- see this essay for the American Historical Association's journal "Perspectives." www.llsilvers.com/blog/sex-and-the-…

llsilvers.com

Sex and the Medieval Muslim Woman — Laury Silvers

The historical axe I’m grinding with Saliha’s character is not to prove there were sexy, independent sidekicks back in the day. Maybe there were, but that is not my point. I am telling the story...

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 24/07/2023

Hello friends! I am also on Twitter (or whatever it's called now), where I have many more posts to see, if you're interested in following there. I hope this platform works out because things seem to be breaking down over there...

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 23/07/2023

“Anyone who lacks gentleness has been cut off from all that is good.” ‎— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

Detail from a Persian manuscript, done in the 17th century, showing elaborate thin lines of gold and white tracing floral and vegetal patterns over blue and black borders. (Met 63.210.1)

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Reading Islamic Texts @islamtexts.bsky.social · 23/07/2023

An invocation of the Divine, from the opening page of a Persian manuscript copied in 19th-century Kashmir. "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Merciful." The most beautiful basmala I've ever seen.

A basmala written in nasta'liq script, with floral decorations above and below. (LoC 2016374191)

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