Hilyah of the Prophet Muhammad

Location: Turkey

Materials: ink on paper; stamped

Dimensions: 45 x 28cm

Accession Number: CAL 482

Other Notes: Depictions of the two Holy Sanctuaries at Mecca and Medina are below the hilyah (or hilye-i sherife – a verbal description of the physical characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad) which occupies the central roundel. Around it are the ayat al-kursi (‘Throne verse’; Surat al-Baqarah, II, verse 255) as well as other Qur’anic verses and sayings relating to the Prophet. Written diagonally on the right are the asma’ al-husna (‘The Beatific Names of God’) and, on the left, the names and attributes of the Prophet.