A rare manuscript written nearly a thousand years ago has emerged in Saudi Arabia, providing a detailed overview of early Qur’anic scholarship. This discovery not only highlights the depth of classical Islamic studies, but also renews interest in a vast archive of rare texts preserved for academic research.The manuscript is entitled “Strange Qur’an” (Rare Terms in the Qur’an) revealed by King Abdulaziz Public Library. It was written by the prominent scholar Abu Ubaidah Muammar bin Al-Muthanna and dates back to the fourth century. The work remains unpublished and is considered a major contribution to the field of Qur’anic sciences. The manuscript physically consists of 23 sheets, each measuring 17 x 22 centimetres.
They are written in clear Andalusian script, while the names of the surahs are written in Kufic script, reflecting a mixture of classical calligraphic traditions.The Library’s broader collection places this manuscript within a much larger historical context. It includes a variety of rare Quranic interpretation works spanning several centuries. Among these Parsing of the Qur’an and its meaning By Abu Ishaq al-Zajjaj, in the fifth century AH Interpretation of the problem of the Qur’an By Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinouri, a copy dating back to the seventh century AH. The archive also includes parts of Interpretation of Al-Tabari (Jami’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an) by Al-Tabari, copied in the sixth century AH, and consisting of 77 pages. Another notable work, On the meanings of the Qur’an and its interpretation By Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Naqqash, 113 pages long, dating back to the seventh century AH.
In total, the heritage archive includes more than 185 rare manuscripts dedicated to the interpretation of the Holy Qur’an. In addition to these, there are hundreds of additional texts covering the various sciences of the Qur’an, including grammar, linguistic analysis, methods of recitation, and interpretation of verses. These manuscripts are systematically classified into four main areas: interpretation, recitations and intonation, Qur’anic sciences, and Qur’anic manuscripts or Qur’anic copies.
Within the category of interpretation alone, group features such as The door to interpretation in the meanings of revelation, Facilitation of interpretation By Omar Al-Nasafi, Hall of problems in understanding after Ayat It dates back to the twelfth century AH (seventeenth century AD). The long sea in the interpretation of the glorious Qur’an By Ahmed bin Ajiba, and Download milestones By Al-Baghawi. Other important texts include Interpretation of Al-Jalalayn, Al-Durr Al-Masun in the Sciences of the Hidden Book, Al-Durr Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir Bi Al-Mathirand Jawaher Al-Hussan in Interpretation of the Qur’anIn addition to many specialized manuscripts that deal with the linguistic, grammatical, and interpretive dimensions of the Holy Qur’an.By revealing Strange QuranThe library furthered its broader goal of displaying rare cultural assets, including manuscripts, documents, photographs, coins and artefacts. The Foundation aims to open new paths for dealing with heritage while supporting systematic academic research. By preserving and presenting these materials, it seeks to make works of historical importance accessible to scholars and to deepen the study of Qur’anic sciences across generations.
