Four centuries-old manuscripts from the collection of Sheikh Nazim al-Haqqani (Sheikh Nazim al-Qubrusi), along with his personal walking stick and ring, have been put on display at the Nicosia Museum. The books, authored by Ibrahim ibn Hasan, Ibrahim Mustafa al-Akkirmani, and Ömer Vasfi, bring the written culture of centuries past into the present day.
Located at the Kyrenia Gate, a site deeply intertwined with the city’s history, the Nicosia Museum chronicles the past through paintings, sculptures, literary collections, and objects of daily life. With a diverse array of exhibits, ranging from paintings depicting the old scenes of Nicosia and busts of Cypriot authors to maritime artifacts and traditional “Karagöz-The Blackeye” shadow-puppet figures, the museum welcomes those eager to learn about the city’s people and culture.
These collections have now been expanded to include four manuscripts, a walking stick, and a ring, all formerly belonging to Sheikh Nazim al-Haqqani. The manuscripts now on display include “et-Tasavvuf ve’l-İslam” by Ibrahim ibn Hasan; “Haşiye-i Tarikat-i li-Hâcezâde”, attributed to Ibrahim b. Mustafa al-Akkirmani, as well as “Havas-ı Melekiyye eş-şerhu’s-sayfi – Havas-i Melekiyye esh-sherhu’s saifi)” and “İlmu’l-Kur’ân” by Ömer Vasfi.
Penned in 1756, 1810, and 1877, twith histories spanning 270, 216, and 149 years, these written sources date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Displaying these works, which vary in terms of their authors, languages, and subject matter, together offers an opportunity to explore the book collection of Sheikh Nazim al-Haqqani.
A 270-year-old book by Ibrahim ibn Hasan
The work “at-Tasawwuf wa’l-Islam” (Sufism and Islam) by Ibrahim ibn Hasan is the oldest among the books now on display. Dating back to 1756, this Arabic text is also the most substantial of the four, comprising 450 pages. Focusing on Sufism and Islamic thought, its 270-year history makes it one of the exhibition’s most notable pieces. Beyond serving as a resource for those wishing to research the intellectual landscape of that era, the book is also a valuable cultural asset that has been preserved through the centuries to reach the present day.
A 216-year-old work attributed to al-Akkirmani
“Hashiyat al-Tariqat li-Hajazada” is a work by Ibrahim ibn Mustafa al-Akkirmani. Written in Istanbul in 1810, the book has a history of 216 years. This 120-page Arabic text also mentions Ibn Abidin among its contributors. The term “hashiya” in the title refers to annotations written to explain or evaluate a primary text. The work is significant for examining how ancient texts were read and interpreted, and how they evolved through the contributions of subsequent generations.
A Work by Ömer Vasfi Dated 1877
The book “Havas-ı Melekiyye eş-şerhu’s-sayfi” by Ömer Vasfi dates back to 1877. This approximately 149-year-old work consists of 88 pages and features Arabic, Turkish, and Ottoman Turkish.
Classified under the field of “Havas” (esoteric sciences), the book adds a distinct dimension to the collection through its subject matter and linguistic characteristics. It serves as a valuable resource for those wishing to explore the interests and language usage prevalent in the written culture of the 19th century.
Also featured in the exhibition is “İlmu’l-Kur’ân”, a 96-page work written in Arabic. Exhibited alongside the other items, this book illustrates the thematic diversity of the sources held within the collection of Sheikh Nazim al-Haqqani. By viewing all four manuscripts in the same exhibition, visitors are able to compare the works in terms of their physical volume and the languages in which they are written.
