POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Symbolic sword (<i>Zulfiqar</i>) شمشیر نمادین: ذوالفقار

Object No. A2751

This unique late 18th century double-edged sword, widely known as Zulfiqar, the famous sword of the first Shiite Imam, Ali ibn-Abi Talib (601-661), is one of the most significant and precious objects in the Museum’s Persian collection. This Shiite sword was handcrafted, probably under the patronage of a Qajar family, by one of the master sword makers (shamshirsaz) of India, known for this type of sword (talwar) production since the 11th century. The function of this sword was entirely symbolic and it was never used as a weapon during times of war. According to popular religious narratives in Persia (Iran), Ali ibn-Abi Talib, known also as Imam Ali (Saint Ali), was a great warrior, the defender of Islam, the Prophet Mohammad and his Household. Believed to be a hero and great combatant, he was also referred to as the ‘Lion of God’ (Assadollah). Among Shiite Muslims, and those of Iran in particular, Imam Ali is also considered as Head Master of the Sufi orders and a symbol of a chivalrous man and a brave leader. This is why Zulfiqar, his famous sword, is designed, produced and admired among Shiite adherents all around the world. Engraved inscriptions ناد عليا مظهر العجائب تجده عونا لك فى النوائب كل هم وغم [سينجلى بولايتك يا على يا على يا على] Call Ali who is the manifestation of marvels; You will find Him your helper in calamities. Every anxiety and grief will come to an end Through your friendship, O Ali! O Ali! O Ali. الله اکبر [ناصر؟] بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم اللّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَیُّ الْقَیُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَهٌ وَ لاَ نَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِی السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِی الأَرْضِ مَن ذَا الَّذِی یَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ یَعْلَمُ مَا بَیْنَ أَیْدِیهِمْ وَ مَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَ لاَ یُحِیطُونَ بِشَیْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاء وَسِعَ کُرْسِیُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الأَرْضَ وَ لاَ یَؤُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَ هُوَ الْعَلِیُّ الْعَظِیمُ لاَ إِکْرَاهَ فِی الدِّینِ قَد تَّبَیَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَیِّ فَمَنْ یَکْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَ یُؤمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَکَ بِالْعُرْوَهِ الْوُثْقَیَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِیعٌ عَلِیمٌ اللّهُ وَلِیُّ الَّذِینَ آمَنُواْ یُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَی النُّوُرِ وَالَّذِینَ کَفَرُواْ أَوْلِیَآؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ یُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَی الظُّلُمَاتِ أُوْلَئِکَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِیهَا خَالِدُونَ صدق الله العلی العظیم Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. Qur’an: Chapter (2) Surat l-baqarah (The Cow), Verse (225) Dr Pedram Khosronejad, Curator of Persian Arts, 2021