Publication of the Critical Edition of the Musical Treatise by ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbd al-Qādir Marāghī

7/20/2025 10:29

The music treatise “Naqāwat al-Adwār wa Tasānīf” by ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbd al-Qādir Marāghī, edited, collated, and introduced by Sayyid Hussein Meysami and Mostafa Ebadi, has been published by the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia (Center for Iranian and Islamic Studies).

CGIE: In his introduction, Kāẓim Mūsavī Bojnurdī, the Center’s CEO writes: Among Iranian arts, music holds a special place both scientifically and practically. Much of Iran’s musical heritage—especially its theoretical aspects—remains in manuscripts, accessible only to a select few, and understanding these texts is challenging. Editing them requires not just expertise in music, but also broad knowledge of Persian and Arabic literature, history, and even mathematics. That is why research in Iranian music is difficult but necessary. The treatise “Naqāwat al-Adwār,” authored by ʿAbd al-Qādir Marāghī, is one of the key works for understanding Iranian music both scientifically and practically.

Sayyid Hussein Meysami, one of the editors of this book, states in part of its preface: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, son of ʿAbd al-Qādir Marāghī, was active in many fields like his father. His efforts led to authoring treatises, innovations in musical systems, inventing a new instrument, and composing songs of various genres. “Naqāwat al-Adwār” by ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Marāghī (d. 837 AH) was written for Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in the Ottoman Empire. The title suggests it is a selection from the comprehensive treatises “Jāmi‘al-Alḥān” and “Maqāṣid al-Alḥān” by ʿAbd al-Qādir Marāghī, covering two main topics: melodic cycles and rhythmic cycles. The term “adwār” traces back to Safi al-Din al-Urmawi, founder of the “Maktab-e-Muntazamiya” school, which aimed to systematize the theoretical discussions of music in its era. “Naqāwat al-Adwār” and “Maqāṣid al-Adwār” by Mahmoud, son of ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, are considered the last treatises of this school in the Ottoman realm.

Those interested in obtaining the treatise “Naqāwat al-Adwār wa Tasānīf,” which is 304 pages, published in 200 copies, and priced at 5,950,000 Rials (available next week), can do so through the following methods:

• Visit the CGIE Bookshop at No. 210, Pūr-Ibtihāj Avenue, Shahīd Bāhonar Square (Nīāvarān), Tehran - Iran
• Order Online at store.cgie.org.ir
• Call +98 21222976-77 and +98 9123931836