[THE PEARLS OF THE CROWN: THE FIRST TURKISH BOOK ON THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD] سير ويسى مكى ومدنى / Siyer-i Veysî, Mekkî ve Medenî; Ḫâbnâme-i Veysî, Münse’ât-i Veysî, Sehâdetnâme-i Veysî

VEYSÎ, UVEYS B. MEHMED (1561-1628).

Veriz [sic. Vezir] Hani Matbaasi, Istanbul, AH 1286 = [1869].

Original quarter dark green morocco. Five compartments on spine, the second gilt titled “Siyer-i Veysî fî 22”, others decorated with gildings. Roy. 8vo. (23,5 x 16 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). [2], 350 p. (Siyer-i Veysî: [2], 261 pp., Hâbnâme: 262-285 pp., Münseât: 286-311 pp., Sehâdetnâme: 312-350 pp.). Edge wear, torn front paper, occasional fading on some papers. Overall, a very good copy. 

Very rare first Istanbul edition of the first Turkish book on the life of the Prophet Mohammad including an historical account of early Islam (Sîyer). This edition is published together with Veysî’s Hâbnâme (The book of events), Münseât (Collection of letters, congratulatory and other proses) and Sehâdetnâme (Five fundamental ideas of Islam).

The book consists of two chapters: Mecca & Medina. The first part covers various key events in early Islamic history, including the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad, the discovery and purification of the Zamzam Well, Abdullah’s marriage to Amine, the Prophet’s names and titles, his birth, his time with a wet nurse, the expedition to Damascus, his marriage to Hazrat Khadija, the repair of the Kaaba, the first revelation, the early converts to Islam, the invitation to Islam, the migration to Abyssinia, the Gharanik incident, the conversions of Hamza, Omar, and the jinn to Islam, the ascension (Mi'raj), the obligation of prayer, the conversion of the Ansar, and the Prophet’s migration to Medina.

The chapter on the Medina period details significant events such as the Prophet’s arrival in Medina, and the conversion of Abdullah b. Salâm and Salman al-Farisi, the establishment of the call to prayer, the declaration of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajirun, the marriage of Fatima and Ali, the revelation of the verses on jihad, various expeditions and battles, the change of the qibla, the First Battle of Badr, the obligation of fasting, the Second Battle of Badr, the defeat of Abu Jahl and other adversaries of Islam, and the treatment of captives.

Hâbnâme: The work, also known as Vâkianâme and Rü’yânâme, is structured around dream conversations between the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I and Alexander the Great. Completed in 1017 AH (1608 CE) by Veysi, the work was presented to Ahmed I. It narrates the evils committed throughout history, beginning with the time of Prophet Adam. In this context, the poet seeks to console the sultan, who is distressed by the decline of the state, while simultaneously offering guidance. He suggests that the empire’s fortunes can be restored if competent and qualified individuals are appointed to administrative positions.

Münseât: It consists of the congratulations and letter of appointment written by the Veysî for Sun'ullah Efendi and Cemâlî-zâde on their appointments as Sheikh-ul-Islam, his correspondence with the poet Nergisî-zâde, his letters sent to his close friends, his holiday congratulations to Sheikh-ul-Islam Mehmet Efendi, and his pardon letters to Sünbül Ali Efendi.

Özege 18179., OCLC: 745267795, 1349141243, 957297233.