Add MS 7898

This volume contains an encyclopedia of twelve sciences compiled by Nev'i. The author, who designates himself by this mahlas, was Yahya İbn-i Pir Ali İbn-i Nasuh, the son of a Şeyh of Malgara. Born there in 940 AH (1533-34 CE), he became one of the eminent Ulema and poets of the reign of Murat III, by whom he was appointed tutor to Prince Mustafa in 998 AH (1589-90 CE). He died in 1007 AH (1598-99 CE). His life is told at length by his son, the biographer of poets, Atayi.

Nev'i says in the preface that the matter of the present work was derived from Yuvakıtu'l-Ulum, ascribed to İmam Gazali (but by others to Fahruddin Razi); also, in part, Fevaih-i meskiye by Abdurrahman Bistami (written in 844 AH/1440-41 CE, according to Haj. Khal. IV, p. 468); from the work entitled Mevzuatu'l-Ulum (by Lutfullah Tokati, who died in 900 AH/1494 CE; Haj. Kha.l VI, p. 23 and Vienna Catalogue I, p. 23); as well as other works. He included in it 12 sciences, giving for each of them three of its main propositioins, the definition of its object and scope, and the names of the standard treatises. He prefixed to the work the anecdote of the talented youth Hikayet-i cevan-i fazıl (who disputed before the Halif Vasık with a Jew, a Christian and a worshipper of idols), and concluded it with the story of Beşir and Şadan.

The preface closes with a panegyric on the reigning Sultan Murat III (982-1003 AH/1546-95 CE) and an enumeration of the 12 sciences, which are:

History (f 11r)

Philosophy (f 38v)

Astronomy (f 43v)

Theology (kelam) (f 51v)

Principles of fiqh (f 59r)

Controverted points of law (hilaf) (f 63v)

Exegesis (f 68v)

Tasavvuf (f 73r)

Interpretation of dreams (tabir-i rüya) (f 76r)

Magic, charms and medicine (raki ve efsun ve tıbb) (f 82r)

Agriculture (f 90v)

Astrology and divination (nücum ve zecr) (f 92r)

The Netaicu'l-Fünun was written some time after the taking of the Port of Tunis (982 AH/1574 CE), as recorded in the historical section of the work (f 35r) and said to have been followed by some other victories, but before the death of the Grand Vezir Mehmet Sokollu (987 AH/1579-80 CE), who is mentioned in the same place as being still at the head of affairs.

In other copies, the above sciences are occasionally listed as being 14 in number, owing to the division of medicine and fal into their own categories.

This manuscript was likely copied in the 18th century CE.