An Arabic Letter (ca. AH 6th/12th CE c.) Concerning the Production of a Manuscript of Ibn Sīnā’s al-Šifā

Abstract

Among the unexplored documents at Columbia University’s Butler Library is an Arabic letter sent by a copyist to his patron informing the latter about the progress of work on a copy of Ibn Sīnā’s al-Šifāʾ. Datable to the 6th / 12th century, this document allows for a rare glimpse behind the curtain of manuscript production. This contribution consists of an edition and translation of the letter and seeks to provide the necessary context for its understanding.