A PHILOLOGICAL REVIEW: ANALYZING THE SCIENTIFIC SANAD MANUSCRIPT OF SA’ĪD IBN MUḤAMMAD AL-YAMĀNĪ

Abstract

This study aims to examine the physical features, edit the text, and analyze the content of the Manuscript of the Scientific Sanad of Sa’īd ibn Muḥammad al-Yamānī using a philological approach. The manuscript, written circa 1925 in OganKomering Ilir, Palembang, documents a formal authorization (ijazah) from Sa’īd ibn Muḥammad al-Yamānī to al-Hajj Muhammad Mukhtari to transmit and teach the knowledge he received. Employing a qualitative descriptive method, the research relies on digital access to the manuscript through the DREAMSEA platform and applies standard philological procedures, including transliteration, translation, and textual criticism. While the data were accessed digitally, the study involved careful examination of high-resolution images to assess the manuscript’s condition, such as its black ink on unbranded yellow paper, physical wear from folds, and overall legibility. The content is arranged in a structured and conventional format typical of classical Islamic scientific diplomas beginning with praise to God and the Prophet, followed by a scholarly genealogy, a list of referenced texts, and prayers for the diploma recipient. The findings affirm the manuscript’s substantial historical, religious, and intellectual significance, offering authentic insight into the enduring tradition of knowledge transmission in the Malay-Nusantara region. This study contributes to the growing field of Islamic philology and highlights the importance of preserving local Islamic manuscripts as part of Southeast Asia’s valuable cultural and scholarly heritage.