Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d.1111), Ihya 'ulum al-din ('The Revival of the Religious Sciences'), Spain, Almohad, 12th-13th century AD

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was born in 1058 AD in the Khurasan region of Iran. He held a prominent position as one of the foremost jurist-theologians during the medieval Islamic era and was a prolific writer on matters related to religious sciences. His work earned him the title of hujjat al-Islam ('the Proof of Islam'). Ihya' 'ulum al-din ('The Revival of the Religious Sciences') is considered his most important and renowned legacy. This monumental project aimed to integrate various significant aspects of Islamic faith, including theology, law, ethics, and mysticism. It is organised into ten books, grouped into four sections: 'ibadat (religious duties), 'adat (social duties), al-muhlikat (the paths to perdition), and al-munjiat (the paths to salvation).

In the early twelfth century, under the Almoravids, the work faced censorship and was even subjected to burning in Andalusia and the Maghrib. However, it regained its prestige under the Almohads. The present manuscript is an important evidence to the rehabilitation of al-Ghazali's work during this period.

Other sections of this work can be found in the Chester Beatty Library (please refer to A. Arberry, A Handlist of the Arabic Manuscript, Dublin, 1956, p.45, no.3353 and A. Mingana, Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, 1934, pp.88-89, no.73 [223]). 

This manuscript testifies to the exceptional quality of paper produced in Islamic Spain, characterised by smooth and thick cream-coloured sheets allowing a remarkably refined finish. The calligraphy is devised with even precision, balance, and sophistication throughout the entire document, despite the compact layout consisting of 41 lines of intricate Andalusi script. A contemporary Andalusian manuscript of similar finesse was sold in Christie's London, 26 April 2018, lot 7.