"Bilal Calling to Prayer While Prophet Muhammad and Ali are Visited by Emissaries," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari

Art Historical Context

This vibrant folio, titled *"Bilal Calling to Prayer Prophet Muhammad and Ali areited by Emissaries*, comes from the *Hamla-yi Haidari*, a 19th-century Persian manuscript by Muhammad Rafi Khan around 1820. It captures a pivotal moment in Islamic history: the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law Ali receiving emissaries as Bilal, the first muezzin, calls the faithful to prayer. Rendered in the Qajar style of Persian miniature painting, the scene blends reverence with narrative drama, highlighting key figures central to Shia devotion. TheHamla-yi Haidari* is an epic poem celebrating Imam Ali's valor, popular in Iran during the Qajar era (1786–1925), when such illuminated codices were prized commissions for elites. As a codex folio, it formed part of a larger bound volume, showcasing the era's fusion of poetry, piety, and artistry amid growing European influences. Muhammad Rafi Khan masterfully employs translucent and opaque watercolors, ink, and gold on paper—hallmarks of Persian illumination—to create luminous depth and intricate details. The gold accents evoke divine light, while delicate lines define figures in traditional flat perspective, drawing viewers into a sacred tableau. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acquired 2015), this 19⅝ × 11⅓-inch gem invites reflection on Islam's rich visual storytelling tradition.