In the numerous manuscripts of the Ikhtiyārāt-e Badī‘ī, there are significant differences of various origins that make it very difficult to publish a critical edition of this book. The most important differences are the relatively large number of notes by “I
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In the numerous manuscripts of the Ikhtiyārāt-e Badī‘ī, there are significant differences of various origins that make it very difficult to publish a critical edition of this book. The most important differences are the relatively large number of notes by “Ibn-e Mo'allif” (son of the author) in a considerable number of manuscripts of Ikhtiyārāt, which are also included in uncritical editions of it; some have even considered these notes as Hājī Zayn al-Aṭṭār's citations from one of his sons; but this son added these notes gradually, or at three or more stages, after the death of his father, at least until 850 AH /1446 AD. Ḥusayn ibn Ali ibn Ḥusayn Ansārī’s extensive use of Ikhtiyārāt in Dastūr al-Aṭebbā min ḳawā’id al-Ḥokamā (compiled in 839 AH), along with the scribing of two manuscripts of Ikhtiyārāt with the most of Ibn-e Mo'allif additional notes (in 846 and 850 AH), makes us consider him the same Ibn-e Mo'allif. Most of these additions contain other names (especially local Shirazi names), unusual properties, morphology, essence, and types of each drug. A number of them, especially the additions related to Shiraz and Fārs, are the result of Ibn-e Mo'allif personal experiences, and a number of others are taken from often untold sources. Comparing these additions with possible sources, it can be seen that Ibn-e Mo'allif has used Kāshānī’s ‘Arāyis al-Jawāhir wa Nafāyes al-’Atāyeb in the subject of gems and perfumes, and in the case of perfumes, Bīrūnī’s Ṣaydanah (which, of course, he has quoted from it in other positions). In adding material to the compound medicaments book, he has used Ḥunayn Ibn Isḥāḳ’s al-Masā’il fi al-Ṭib and its commentary by Ibn Abī Ṣadeḳ Neyshāburī.
Manuscript profile