Nasiriyyah Library
المَکْتَبَةُ الناصِریّة
One of the greatest Islamic libraries in the world, housing 30,000 volumes including 5,000 rare manuscripts in Lucknow, India
About Nasiriyyah Library
The Nasiriyyah Library is one of the most significant Islamic libraries in the world, located in Lucknow, India. Founded by Sayyid Muhammad Quli Musawi Hindi in the early 19th century, it houses approximately 30,000 volumes, including 5,000 rare manuscripts.
The library was expanded by Mir Hamid Husayn, author of “Abaqat al-Anwar,” who traveled extensively across Islamic countries to acquire rare manuscripts. Named after Maulana Nasir Husayn, the library has been recognized by scholars worldwide as an exceptional repository of Islamic knowledge.
Today, with support from the provincial government, the library continues its mission of preserving Islamic heritage. Its manuscript catalog is available at the Library of Ayatullah Mar’ashi Najafi in Qom, Iran, facilitating international scholarly collaboration.
Collection Highlights
- ✓30,000 total volumes
- ✓5,000 rare manuscripts
- ✓Founded in early 19th century
- ✓Works in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu
- ✓Government-supported preservation
'Abaqat al-Anwar
عبقات الأنوار في إمامة الأئمة الأطهار
The Crown Jewel of Our Collection
'Abaqat al-Anwar (Fragrant Flowers) is the monumental 12-volume masterwork by Sayyid Hamid Husayn Musavi, whose dedication to scholarship was so intense that his right hand became paralyzed from continuous writing.
This comprehensive defense of Shi‘a theology systematically examines fundamental hadiths supporting the Imamate, drawing from thousands of Sunni sources to establish common ground and demonstrate the legitimacy of Shi‘a beliefs.
Learn More About 'Abaqat →The 12 Volumes Cover:
- •Hadith al-Ghadir: The event at Ghadir Khumm
- •Hadith al-Manzila: “You are to me as Aaron was to Moses”
- •Hadith al-Wilaya: Authority and guardianship
- •Hadith al-Thaqalayn: The two weighty things
- •Hadith al-Safina: The ark of salvation
- •And more: Seven other fundamental narrations
“This work exemplifies the scholarly tradition of the Nasiriyyah Library, demonstrating how its vast collection of 30,000 volumes enabled groundbreaking research that continues to benefit scholars worldwide.”
Our Collections
With approximately 30,000 volumes, the Nasiriyyah Library preserves centuries of Islamic scholarship
Rare Manuscripts
Unique handwritten texts from renowned Islamic scholars
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
Comprehensive works on Islamic law from various schools of thought
Hadith Collections
Prophetic traditions and their scholarly commentaries
Theological Works (Kalam)
Islamic theology, philosophy, and doctrinal texts
Historical Chronicles
Historical accounts of Islamic civilization and scholars
Full catalog available at the Library of Ayatullah Mar'ashi Najafi in Qom, Iran