The manuscript begins with the Fatiha and En'am surahs, followed by a selection of other surahs (ff. 1r-61r), Koranic verses and prayers (ff. 61r-64r), and finally diagrams and shapes incorporating the names of God, Muhammad and the disciples (ff. 65v-100v). The En'am surah commences with an illuminated double spread with a broad border edged by triangular lappets filled with pink cloud bands (ff. 1r-2v).
On ff. 79r-80v are pictures of the city of Mecca and the Kaaba and the city of Medina and the mausoleum of Muhammad respectively. The artist has depicted the buildings and surrounding countryside in detail, and gold dots representing stars in the dark blue sky suggest a night time scene. On f. 80r are the words, 'This En'am-ı Şerif was written at the request of Sultan Selim, son of Sultan Mustafa Han. May God grant him happiness in both worlds. Amen,' written in nesih script inside a medallion in the centre of an illuminated field. On f. 81v is the colophon written in nesih script inside a medallion with a gold ground, set in the centre of an illuminated field.
The originality of the design, the colours, finely worked motifs, and exquisite gilding demonstrate that Hafız Mehmed was an illuminator of outstanding skill. This manuscript dating from the second half of the 18th century, probably commissioned during the princehood of Sultan Selim III (r. 1789-1807), undoubtedly ranks among the finest illuminated manuscripts of the period. The covers of cherry red leather are decorated with a stamped medallion, cornerpieces and broad cartouche border.
