A legacy of learning
المصحف المخطوط
Handwritten Mushaf & Books
KH. Ibrahim is said to have copied about 11 complete Qur’ans in his lifetime, as well as books of fiqh, theology, hadith and prayers. Some are still kept at Masjid Bedi.
The price of a mushaf
Copies of the Qur’an were rare in Java. After returning from Makkah (1847) he copied mushaf for his students. One commission took six months and was paid with two cows — sold to build the pondok and its ablution place. Clients from Banyuwangi and Kedu paid up to Rp 50, when a cow cost about Rp 10.
±11
full Qur’ans
2 🐄
price of one copy
Rp 50
Banyuwangi & Kedu orders
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Qur’an 15:9)
The surviving books
Gathered again by his great- and great-great-grandchildren, and since 20 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1432 AH / 24 February 2011 kept in a special cabinet on the porch of Masjid Bedi — open to family and the public.
- 01Juz 'Amma of the Qur'an (handwritten)
- 02The complete 30-juz Qur'an (handwritten) — ±11 manuscripts during his lifetime; 4 still identified in Ponorogo
- 03Hadith — written when he was 11 years old
- 04Fiqh: Taqrib, Fathul Qorib, Tahdzib, Al-Bajuri
- 05Tauhid (Islamic theology)
- 06Prayers / aurad (litanies)
- 07(Alif.id) Fathul Mu'in, Hasyiyah Bajuri, Sahih Bukhari, Jurumiyah, Alfiyah, Ummul Barahin
What the codicology says
Amrulloh & Hakim (2021), Nun 7(1); Amrulloh (2021), thesis UIN Sunan Ampel.
Step 1
European paper
Imported paper watermarked “Pro Patria Eendraght Maakt Maght” from a mill in Heelsum, the Netherlands. The year 1808 on the paper is when the paper was made — not when the mushaf was copied.
Step 2
Pen & ink
Written after the night prayer with an aren-palm-rib pen and ink.
Step 3
Mixed orthography
The orthography mixes the ‘Uthmani and the standard (imla’i) spelling.
Step 4
The ‘Asim reading via Hafs
The reading common across Nusantara. There are signs the mushaf was copied from his memory.
Step 5
Illumination & marginalia
Javanese floral ornament and notes in the margins (marginalia), per the UINSA 2021 codicological study.
For comparison: Nusantara mushaf
The images below are NOT KH. Ibrahim’s mushaf — they are contemporary Javanese/Madurese Qur’ans from museum collections, illustrating the Qur’an-copying tradition of the archipelago. Photos of his own mushaf will be shown once the family gives permission.