Razavi shrine library, a treasury of Persian poets works

Persian literature is a manifestation of the glory of Iranian thought and spirituality. In this regard, the Central Library of Astan Qods Razavi (AQR) has created an unparalleled opportunity for researchers and lovers of poetry and literature by providing access to a diverse range of resources.
On the occasion of Persian Poetry and Literature Day, Hoj. Seyyed Jalal Hosseini, head of AQR’s Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center, introduces the library’s collection of resources on Persian poetry and literature. His remarks follow:
Safeguarding literary manuscripts
Head of AQR’s Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center said: “8,900 manuscripts on the subject of literature in Arabic and Persian languages are kept in AQR Library, among which "Sharh-e Divan-e Tamim bin Muqbil", transcribed in 380 AH, is considered the oldest manuscript on the subject of literature in this library”.
Introducing two manuscripts of this library in the field of Persian poetry, Hoj. Hosseini added: “Saadi Collection of Works, transcribed by "Muhammad Abdul Latif Muhammad al-Aqaqiri" in Nastaliq script with 25 lines on 383 pages of cream-colored paper in 766 AH in Shiraz and bound in brown Morocco leather, is among these incomparable works”.
He mentioned: “In this work, titles are in vermilion and lapis lazuli, and margins of the manuscript pages are also in gold. This version of Saadi's Collection of Works was purchased by AQR in August 1970”.
Hosseini also named Khamseh of Nizami, transcribed in 799 AH, as another valuable manuscript in the field of Persian literature at Razavi shrine Central Library, which was endowed to the library of this holy shrine by Seyyed Jalaluddin Tehrani in August 1982.
He stated: “This work was written by "Ahmad bin Muhammad, titled Nizam", in Naskh script mixed with Taliq in four columns and 25 lines, on 254 leaves of henna-colored paper, and bound in brown stamped leather. The current version has five illuminated inscriptions decorated with lapis lazuli and gold. Also, name of each poem and page margins are adorned with outlined gold”.
Existence of 4900 Persian literary lithographs
Hoj. Hosseini said: “4,900 lithographed volumes on the subject of Persian poetry and literature are kept in AQR library, the oldest work of this collection being the "Saadi Collection of Works" in Nastaliq script”.
He continued: “This book of Saadi's Collection of Works was published through efforts of Muhammad Taqi Hasani Husseini in 1257 AH, in 438 pages, in Vaziri size in Tabriz. The current work was donated by Manouchehr Shadlou in May 1997 to the AQR library”.
Head of the organization stated: “Among other exquisite lithographs of this library on the subject of Persian poetry, one can mention a book titled "Nirang-e Eshgh", a work by Muhammad Akram Ghanimat Panjabi, which was published in 1261 AH by the publisher Mir Hassan Razavi in Vaziri size at Hasani Press in Lucknow, India”.
He clarified: “This version was donated to the Astan Quds Razavi Library in March 2017 by Martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei”.
Hoj. Hosseini said: “Also, the lithographed Shahnameh published in 1266 AH is considered among exquisite and valuable illustrated books in the field of Persian poetry and literature in this library, which includes four volumes along with supplements and a dictionary”.
He added: This book, which was edited by Muhammad Baqir Tajir Shirazi and transcribed by Reza bin Ahmad Husseini Shirazi in Nastaliq script, in large Vaziri size by Count Rauker Sanaji in Mumbai, India, was presented to the library of the holy shrine by Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in1999”.
Hoj. Hosseini went on to say: “One can also name the lithographed "Khamseh of Nizami" published in 1264 AH and transcribed by Ali Asghar in Nastaliq script. This work is incomplete at the end and it is illustrated. It was donated to the AQR library by Asghar Asgharzadeh Mousavi in 1997”.
Access to printed and digital resources
Head of organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center also said: “In total, 40,520 Persian printed books and 580 theses on the subject of Persian poetry are available to interested people”.
He added: “There are also works by Persian-speaking poets such as Saadi, Hafez, Khayyam, Ferdowsi, Attar, Jami, Rumi, Rudaki, and Shahriar, in various languages of the world such as English, French, German, Uzbek, Serbian, Malay, Chinese, Pashto, Turkmen, Urdu, and Tajik in foreign books hall of AQR Central Library”.
Hoj. Hosseini continued: “Also, the digital library, as one of important research and information pillars of the organization, has collected valuable digital resources in the field of Persian poetry and literature, including 6,250 manuscripts, 4,350 lithograph books, 205,850 printed books, 1,200 electronic books, 574 theses, and 255 articles”.
He noted: “In addition to this, the AQR digital library has provided a valuable information treasure to users by organizing and providing data in the form of two specialized and reference databases in the field of Persian literature. Parsipol and Hakim Nezami are these two digital database”.