ABSTRACT
Since the personal names in this work are a mixture of Arabic, Persian and Turkish, with Arabic elements predominating, an Arabic-based transcription has been employed, essentially that of the EP but with the simpler j and q for dj and ~ and with no ligatures under digraphs. The names of dynasties and wellknown sectarian groups, e.g. cAbbasids, Samanids Shicites, Ismacilis, have not been transliterated, nor have the names of well-known provinces, regions and towns e.g. Azerbaijan, Kirman, Isfahan, Hamadan. Lesser-known ones have, however, been transliterated, e.g. Dandanqan, Maragha, Sawa, Nawbandajan. Personal names are strictly transliterated, with the exception of Turkish names, since the efforts of scribes knowing only Arabic and/or Persian to render these names at times makes them barely recognizable. The numbering of verses cited from the Koran is that of the "Royal" Egyptian Koran.
