Gravestone of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, died Shawwal 532 A.H. [June/July 1138 A.D.]

Unknown

dated A.H. 532/1138 CE · Steatite; carved · Islamic Art

The inscription states that it is the tombstone of “the Shaykh, the martyr Jamal al-Qura' Muhammad b. Abi Bakr b. Amin al-Muqri' Khwajakak.” “Shaykh” identifies the deceased as a scholar, Sufi, or social leader, while “martyr” suggests that his death did not occur naturally. The son of a muqri' or Qur'an reciter, Jamal is characterized as “al-Qura',” an ascetic. “Khwajakak” is related to the Persian word for merchant, possibly his occupation.

Artist

Unknown

Date

dated A.H. 532/1138 CE

Medium

Steatite; carved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1948