A Waqfnama written for Shah Sultan Husayn, signed by Ahmad Al-Nayrizi, Persia, Safavid, dated 1123 and 1129 AH/1711 and 1716 AD

Persian manuscript on polished cream paper, 70 leaves plus 11 flyleaves, 6 lines to the page, written in fine naskh script in black ink, keywords picked out in gold, margins ruled in colours and gold, various seal impressions to each page, later lacquer binding decorated with flowering plants with scrolling floral borders

In good overall condition, front board of binding is unattached and requires repair, pages generally clean, ink strong and bold, a few minor stains, paper repair to final folio, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

According to a note in this manuscript, this waqfnama should have 107 folios. However, a note in the top recto of one of the folios registers the removal of a few folios.

One section of the text is the endowment of nine different lots of farm lands in the Isfahan region by a certain lady called Shah Pari daughter of Abu Talib Razavi (unidentified) to a shrine, most probably that of Imam 'Ali in Najaf naming Shah Sultan Husayn as their owner with absolute freedom to do whatever he wishes. He is also to pass them on to whoever the Shah chooses as their superintendent. This is dated 2 dhi'l-qa'da 1123 AH/12 December 1711 AD. This part is witnessed by Sayyid Murtaza Ibn Sayyid 'Ali al-Husayni al-Khalifa (unidentified).

Another document follows the above, mentioning the properties of the deceased Delaram Khanum the grand-mother of the deceased Shah (she was the grand-mother of Shah 'Abbas II), which had been passed on to Princess Baygum Mahd 'Ulya (the mother of Sulayman I and the paternal aunt of Shah Sultan Husayn, whose full name Maryam Baygum is written on the top margin of one of the folios) given as waqf. This is dated Safar 1125 AH/February-March 1713 AD. This is witnessed by Muhammad Baqir Ibn Sayyid Hasan al-Husayni al-Khalifa (unidentified). This is followed by authentication by Muhammad Baqir Ibn Isma'il al-Husayni al-Khatun-Abadi.

Another section refers to the income from these lands to be given to Twelver Shi'is born and resident in Najaf and is signed by Husayn Musavi. Another page mentions 'His Majesty' as the waqif (the one who has made the waqf) and is signed by Muhammad Baqir Ibn Isma'il al-Husayni. Another similar text is signed by Muhammad Husayn Ibn Shah Muhammad al-Tabrizi. Other pages state that by the order of the King these were written and are signed by Shah Quli Zangana, Fath'ali and Murtaza Ibn al-Sayyid al-Husayni (none identified).

Another waqf text contains many lines on the Prophet. One page bears the Shah's name 'Sultan Husayn Safavi Musavi' in red, followed by text on waqf of lands in the province of Isfahan also mentioning the followers of the Twelver Imams born and resident in Najaf and that they are the only ones to benefit from their proceedings. Another page also refers to the waqf being entirely for the residence of Najaf.

The name 'Sultan Ibn al-Sultan Husayn al-Safavi al-Musavi al-Husayni Bahadur Khan' is written in gold. Other sections of the text are signed by Muhammad Baqir Ibn Sayyid Hasan al-Husayni, Sayyid Murtaza Ibn Sayyid 'Ali al-Husayni, Shahquli Zangana, Sayyid Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Amin al-Husayni, Husaynquli Chilah, and a few stress that they are written by royal command. The last pages deal with specific issues in the farm lands in the Isfahan region and the waqfs of farm lands and qanats (underground water channels) in Khurasan to (?) the Shrine of Imam Riza in Mashad.