Prayer (Du'a) for forgiveness

Prayer (Du'a) for forgiveness in Arabic written in Naskh script by the 19th century Iranian calligrapher and Naskh-revivalist: Vassal-i Shirazi (d. 1262/1846). Dimensions of Written Surface: 12.5 (w) x 20 (h) cm For a comparative piece signed by Vassal-i Shirazi and dated 1258/1842 held in the collections of the Library of Congress, see 1-04-713.15.6. The fragment is neither dated nor signed. However, text panels such as this one, providing various Arabic prayers in naskh script, were made by the famous naskh-revival Persian calligraphers Mirza Ahmad Nayrizi (d. 1152/1739) and Vassal-i Shirazi (d. 1262/1846) and their followers. For these reasons, it is possible that this calligraphic fragment was made in Iran in the 18th or 19th century. The text is executed in black naskh script and is fully vocalized. Separate parts of the text are divided by gold roundels, a structure reminiscent of Qur'anic verses. Written on a beige sheet of paper, the text panel is framed by several borders and pasted to a larger brown sheet of paper backed by cardboard. This calligraphic panel includes a number of prayers for increased faith (al-ziyadah fi al-iman), blessing (al-rizq), well-being (al-'afiyah), and good fortune (al-barakah) for its owner. It also petitions for forgiveness (al-maghfarah) both before and after death (al-mawt). Finally, it offers prayers for the Prophet Muhammad and his family and invokes God as the Most Merciful (arham al-rahimin). Script: naskh 1-04-713.19.19