King Abdulaziz Public Library has unveiled a remarkable and rare Quranic manuscript estimated to be around 1,000 years old, titled “Gharib Al Quran.” The manuscript is attributed to the early Islamic scholar Abu Ubaidah Ma’mar Ibn Al-Muthanna and is believed to date back to the fourth century of the Islamic calendar. Comprising 23 folios measuring approximately 17 by 22 centimeters, the text is written in elegant Andalusian script, while the names of the surahs appear in Kufic script—highlighting the artistic and scholarly traditions of early Quranic documentation. Notably, this work remains unpublished and represents a significant contribution to the field of Quranic sciences.
The unveiling of this manuscript reflects the library’s broader commitment to preserving Islamic intellectual heritage. Its extensive collection includes more than 185 rare manuscripts focused on Quranic exegesis, alongside important works on recitation, Arabic grammar, and interpretation. Among the notable scholars represented in the archive are Abu Ishaq Al-Zajjaj, Ibn Qutaybah Al-Dinawari, and portions of the renowned Tafsir al-Tabari. Through these efforts, the institution continues to serve as a vital resource for researchers and academics, while also fostering public engagement with centuries-old Islamic scholarship and cultural heritage.
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