A rare manuscript written nearly a millennium ago has surfaced in Saudi Arabia, offering a detailed glimpse into early Qur’anic scholarship. The discovery not only highlights the depth of classical Islamic studies but also brings renewed attention to a vast archive of rare texts preserved for academic research.
The manuscript, titled “Gharib Al-Qur’an” (Rare Terms in the Qur’an), was unveiled by the King Abdulaziz Public Library. It was authored by the prominent early scholar Abu Ubaidah Ma'mar ibn al-Muthanna and dates back to the 4th century. The work remains unpublished and is considered a significant contribution to the field of Qur’anic sciences. Physically, the manuscript consists of 23 folios, each measuring 17 by 22 centimetres. It is written in a clear Andalusian script, while the names of the surahs are inscribed in Kufic script, reflecting a blend of classical calligraphic traditions.
