The tradition of endowing Quran manuscripts to mosques and holy shrines has been established since the early decades following the rise of Islam. In Iran, the Imam Reza shrine complex in Mashhad has consistently served as the primary center for receiving endowed Quran manuscripts. Since at least the beginning of the tenth century, numerous individuals have endowed thousands of exquisite manuscripts at this site. The motivations behind these donations can be classified along a spectrum that includes desires for spiritual rewards, the dissemination of knowledge and awareness, the preservation of personal and familial legacies, and the safeguarding of works from the ravages of time. Among these, the latter motivation has proven particularly valuable for the study of Islamic art history.
During the Qajar period, which marks the transition from ancient to modern Iran, the Astan Quds Razavi underwent notable changes. The Shah himself assumed the role of custodian of the shrine, appointing his deputies from the capital. Additionally, government officials and aristocrats affiliated with the ruling class contributed their valuable Quran manuscripts, either as relics from their predecessors or commissioned by themselves, to Astan Quds Razavi.
This article will first outline the definitions and concepts of endowment within the context of the Quran and Islamic tradition, followed by an overview of the motivations for such endowments. It will also provide a brief account of the management of endowments at the Razavi shrine during the Qajar period. Furthermore, it will examine the personal lives and social statuses of ten donors of Quran manuscripts from this era, elucidating the impact of their roles and motivations on preserving and enriching the Quran manuscript collection at Astan Quds Razavi.
This inquiry aims to address the following questions:
1. What is the historical background and significance of the Razavi shrine collection in preserving fine Quran manuscripts throughout history?
2. How was the management system of Astan Quds Razavi structured during the Qajar period, and what changes were implemented compared to previous periods?
3. What were the motivations behind the dedication of Quran manuscripts?
4. Who were the donors of these Quran manuscripts during this period, what were their social positions, and what was their relationship with the shrine of Imam Reza?
5. What processes were involved in the production and preservation of these Quran manuscripts, and what are their structural and aesthetic qualities? Additionally, which manuscripts can be identified as products of this period, and which are remnants from earlier periods?
Ultimately, it becomes evident that the endowment of these works, regardless of the underlying motivations, has contributed to their preservation and facilitated their study within the context of art history.