One of the main chapters of IRCICA’s research program titled “Studies on the Holy Quran” consists of analytical and comparative studies on historical and physical features of early copies of the Holy Quran which are located at different places around the world. These studies, published by IRCICA, not only enrich the academic literature in the field but also highlight the clear evidence of the authenticity of the Holy Quran, thus refuting some Western +authors’ suggestions to the contrary. The following volumes have been published by IRCICA in this series, in the order of publication: the copies attributed to the time of the Third Caliph, Othman bin Affan RA and preserved, respectively, at Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul and the Central Library of Islamic Manuscripts (originally founded as Mashhad al-Husayn) in Cairo; the copy attributed to the time of the Fourth Caliph Ali bin Abi Talib KAW and located in the Manuscripts Library near Sana’a Grand Mosque, that attributed to the period of the Third Caliph, Othman bin Affan RA and preserved at the Islamic Arts Museum in Cairo, the partial copy preserved at the National Library of France, Paris, the partial copy at Tubingen University Library, Germany, the partial copy at British Library, London, the copy located at State Library in Berlin, Germany, and now, a two-volume study on the copy which is located in the collection of Fahreddin Pasha (“Defender of Madina” during World War I) at Topkapı Palace Museum Library, Istanbul.
This new book contains the scholarly study by Dr. Tayyar Altıkulaç, specialist of studies on the Holy Quran and ex-President of Religious Affairs in Turkey, on this copy. The latter was brought from Madina to Istanbul by Fahreddin Pasha. The study is composed of elaborate chapters written with utmost depth and meticulosity. Some of the subjects dealt with are: the history of the copy, its physical condition and contents, its descent, its relationship with the known pronunciations, its orthography, the period when it was copied, and the method applied in the study.
IRCICA is pleased to publish this valuable study for the benefit of the field of Quranic studies.
