No one can ever foretell what the manuscripts found in the Prophet's Mosque would reveal, because they belong to a very ancient era in time and knowledge.
But the presence of nearly five thousand ancient manuscripts specialized in the Islamic doctrine shows that they are not just papers written ages ago.
"In the library of the Prophet's Mosque, there are more than 1,200 manuscripts, including 300 handwritten Quran copies. They are considered the rarest copies in the Prophet's mosque," Mohammed al-Sane, head of manuscripts department said.
The manuscripts that characterize the nations' treasure and wealth must have someone to protect them, and this is what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is doing.
Moreover, the manuscripts need prospectors and investors; many are checking them on a daily basis in their real location, in the heart of the Prophet's Mosque, or in their virtual location on the internet.
"One of the rarest manuscripts in the Prophet's Mosque is a Quran copy that dates back 440 years and is written in a very special way. It is one of the most valuable manuscripts in this library," al-Sane said.
The foundation of the manuscripts' department in the Prophet's Mosque was done 20 years ago; it has embraced lots of unique manuscripts that were transcribed hundreds of years ago.
To each its significance in the pyramid of literature and various Islamic studies, while the door of the reawakening of their knowledge treasures is still open.
"The manuscripts are stored and sterilized through very sophisticated equipment with Ozone techniques, so they are not affected by insects or other things," al-Sane said.
The manuscripts existing under this roof are more valuable than gold, and they are a nation's right.
The role of the manuscripts' guardians in the Prophet's Mosque is to protect, restore and make them available online.
Because it is the inheritance of the ancestors' discipline and knowledge and everyone has the right to learn about them, it is not exclusive for Muslims.
By Khamis al-Zahrani
Al Arabiya
Madina
