Sham Shur Haque ?Shams? shows the Holy Quran at his residence. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 30: Sham Shur Haque was wandering in the narrow lanes of Ranchi when he had come across a copy of the Quran. Now, 30 years after he discovered it, it remains his most prized possession. So well known is he as its prized possessor that every year during Id, the residence of this bank employee is jam-packed by visitors, eager to have a look at his Holy Quran.

It?s a very special copy and said to be almost 150 to 200 years old.

Talking to him proves that he knows his history well and knows the value of what he possesses. ?During the time of the Mughals, the holy text contained the original verses in Arabic, followed by the translated version in Persian. It is only recently that Persian was replaced by Urdu,? he said. ?At present, the book contains the verses in Arabic with the translation in Urdu. I have met many historians. And they all agree that it may be at least 150 years old,? he said. But he rues it?s not in very good condition. ?The pages have become very brittle and are breaking into pieces. But I have still managed to preserve the whole thing,? he adds.

Shams said there are altogether 114 chapters or Suras in the Holy Quran. ?There are 30 paragraphs in all, containing 6666 Ayats (Slokas). And the whole book contains 77,934 words or Alfaz,? he says.

?I have got just three chapters of the whole book, namely Sure Ambeya, Sure Mohisul and Sure Ahlad. I tried hard to find the rest of the book but in vain. I had just come down to Ranchi from my village in Seraikela-Kharsawan district and was going through different old bookstalls searching for a particular book. The value of this book must be in crores. I am lucky to have it with me,? he says with obvious pride.

?In my village, I used to go to different Hindu homes and try and understand the meaning of the different Sanskrit Slokas they uttered during the prayers,? he says, explaining his interest in different religions.

The texts have been printed with the help of wooden blocks. ?Writing the Holy Quran was considered to be a precious act in those times and not just any man could write it down,? he points out. Feeling no doubt blessed to own a rare book of religion.