The Title Page in the Arabic Manuscript (An Analytical Codicological Study in Light of Examples from the Süleymaniye Library in Istanbul)

Abstract

This study examines the title page in Arabic manuscripts as a fundamental structural and documentary element in textual verification and scholarly editing. It adopts a descriptive-analytical approach based on a selected sample of five manuscripts preserved in the Süleymaniye Library in Istanbul, dating from the 10th to 12th centuries AH. The findings reveal that the title page plays a central identificatory role, typically presenting the book title and the author's name in varying formulations that reflect the cultural and historical context of manuscript production. The study also highlights the dominance of institutional endowments (waqf ownership), particularly those associated with “Raʾīs al-Kuttāb Mustafa Efendi,” indicating the significant role of Ottoman waqf institutions in manuscript preservation. Conversely, some key codicological elements—such as the scribe’s name and copying date—are often absent from the title page, suggesting their placement elsewhere in the manuscript. The study contributes to bridging theoretical and applied manuscript studies and emphasizes the importance of title pages in textual authentication. It recommends expanding comparative studies and employing digital imaging technologies for deeper manuscript analysis.