Ɵ Abdullah bin Abdullah al-Tarjuman

Ɵ Abdullah bin Abdullah al-Tarjuman, Tuhfa al'Arib fi al-Radi ila Ahl al-Salib [Treatise on refuting the arguments of the people of the cross], in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [probably Spain (Granada), dated 913 AH (1507 AD)]single volume, 55 leaves, single column, between 15 and 16 lines black and sepia maghribi script, possibly copied in two hands, title and some headings in red, catchwords and early foliation throughout, some ownership inscriptions to title and a few small annotations to margins, some small spots and stains, else presentable condition, 185 by 155 mm.; contemporary boards with flap, rebacked with edges repaired in leather, scuffed and wornAl-Tarjuman (d.1432), whose name literally translates to "the translator", was born in Palma de Mallorca in 1355 AD and spent most of his working life as a writer in Tunisia. Rather unusually, al-Tarjuman began his life as a member of the Franciscan Order, and it wasn't until he was 35 that he converted to Islam after living in Tunisia. His popularity grew in the Muslim world and he became known for his ability to speak Christian languages, which led to his later position in the court of Hafid Sultan of Tunis. He compiled number of notable works in Catalan and Arabic during his lifetime, but the present text is by far his most influential. It is a polemic rhetoric against "the people of the cross" (Christians) and affirms his belief in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad as the messenger of Allah. This text was later translated into Persian and Ottoman Turkish, however in the centuries after the author's death, was popular among Muslim communities in North Africa and Andalusia. The colophon records that this copy of the work was copied in Granada by the scribe Sa'id bin Ahmad al-Azdi in the year 913 AH.