Hilyah, Combined with Magic Squares

Image credit: The Khalili Collections

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Notes

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The text of the hilyah, which occupies the lower half of the central rectangle, lists 15 characteristics (shama'il) of the Prophet, each with a Persian translation. The terms used differ from those of the traditional text attributed to 'Ali, being taken instead from al-Qalqashandi's Subh al-A'sha. Qur'anic verses, short surahs and the Names of God are arranged in magic squares and roundels, occasionally with numeric values. The 'Throne Verse' from the surah al-Baqarah (II, verse 255) and the 'Light Verse' from the surah al-Nur (XXIV, verse 35) are arranged in cartouches in the borders.

The Khalili Collections

London

Title

Hilyah, Combined with Magic Squares

Date

19th C

Medium

ink, gold & opaque watercolour on thin paper

Accession number

675

Work type

Drawing

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The Khalili Collections

London, Greater London England

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