Arabic manuscript on paper, 247 leaves, plus 4 flyleaves, 12 to 13 lines to the page, written in bold naskh script in black ink with titles in bold thuluth script, catchwords, f.3 a later replacement, modern brown morocco binding, with flap

In good overall condition, rebound, f.3 a later replacement, the margins are clean with only occasional marginal notes, minor restorations to the pages and small holes throughout, occasional smudges to the ink and various minor stains, f.1 has been consolidated on a later paper, f.247b seems to have been consolidated as well, f. 2 to f.7 and f.240 to f.246 have been restored mainly on the corners and outer edges, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present manuscript of Al-Ghazali can be considered one of the earliest copies of the Minhaj al-abidin, as it was written only two years after the death of the author himself. It is divided into seven ‘aqaba, corresponding with seven distinct babs. Each of the seven babs is divided into an unequal number of fasls.

A later copy of this work dated 1032 AH/1622 AD is in the British Library London (see C. Rieu, Supplement to the Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the British Museum, Hildesheim, 2013, pp.148-9, no.229). Two other copies datable to the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries are also in the British Library (see P. Stocks and C. Baker (ed.), Subject-Guide to the Arabic Manuscripts in the British Library, London, 2001, p.156, E). An eighteenth-century copy is in the John Rylands Library, Manchester (see A. Mingana, Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, 1934, pp.131-2, no.99 [458], whilst two copies dated 1345 and 1349 AD are in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (see A. Arberry, A Handlist of the Arabic Manuscripts, volume VII, pp.111 and 123, nos.5363(1) and 5417 respectively). See also Brockelmann: GAL, I. 423; suppl. I. 751.