An Analysis of the Commonalities and Connections between the Rubaʿis of Some Ancient Collections and Rubaʿi Anthologies
The compilers of certain poetic safines (manuscripts) often used sources beyond the divans of poets, including other safīnes and collections. A comparative study of the contents of these sources reveals notable overlaps, suggesting that these collections were interrelated. This research examines the rubaʿis (quatrains) of Aṭṭar Nishaburi in Munis al-Aḥrar and Mukhtar-Nama, particularly focusing on the sections where these rubaʿis appear. The analysis indicates that Jajarmi likely referred to Mukhtar-Nama as a source when compiling his work. Similarly, a comparative examination of the thematic organization and shared rubaʿis in Rubaʿi-Nama (MS No. 2051, Aya Sofya Library) and Nuzhat al-Majalis demonstrates that the compiler of the Aya Sofya manuscript was influenced by Nuzhat al-Majalis in both structure and content, utilizing Jamal Khalil Shirwan’is selection alongside other sources. Furthermore, Safina-yi Kohan-i Rubaʿiyat and MS No. 487 (Lala İsmail Library) share numerous rubaʿis, suggesting a common source used by their compilers. A detailed comparison of the rubaʿis attributed to Fakhr al-Din Mubarakshah and other shared quatrains between these two sources supports this hypothesis.