The marginalia found in millions of Arabic manuscripts could reshape our understanding of Islamic history
For a comprehensive understanding of the content of millions of Arabic manuscripts held in libraries around the world, it is crucial for scholars to first examine what their marginalia reveal, according to a new study published in the Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization.
A new study published in the Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization suggests that marginalia, or samāʿāt, found in millions of Arabic manuscripts could significantly reshape our understanding of Islamic history. These marginal notes, akin to "certificates of audition," provide critical evidence of who authorized texts and how they were transmitted across the Islamic world.
Researchers from the University of Sharjah found that some manuscripts accumulated dozens to hundreds of these notes over generations, preserving a historical record of their reading, teaching, and transmission. The findings reveal that these audition records can fill gaps in existing historical sources, reveal individuals not documented elsewhere, and offer insights into scholarly and cultural life.
By systematically studying these marginal notes, researchers may reconstruct the contents of lost or unidentified works, challenge existing historical narratives, and enrich our understanding of the past.
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