Inclining dial for latitudes 0°-60° North. All the markings are in Arabic. Set into the base-plate, the compass has an eight-point rose and a degree scale numbered with 'abjad' numerals. The needle can be locked by a radial brass arm that is operated by a lever on the outside of the instrument. A leaf-shaped brass pointer acts as a 'qibla' indicator. On the rim of the base-plate is a list of 19 places in the Middle East with their latitudes, 'inhirafs' and 'jihas', that is continued on the underside of the hour-circle. Hinged to the North side of the base-plate is an hour-circle numbered in Turkish numerals, on which the gnomon is supported by circular arcs. The latitude arc is hinged to the East side of the dial-plate and has a degree scale numbered by Turkish numerals. The sides of the base-plate are inscribed with a Persian poem about constellations and the position of the 'qibla' and the centre of the reverse side is marked with a text.

This instrument, of which there is another virtually identical example in the MHS, Oxford (new inventory no. 33518), represents a strange mixture of what appears to be a genuine Arabic hand and a typical European, probably English, inclining dial. Unlike any European instrument, the dial is covered with lists of places with their 'inhirafs' and 'jihas'. Though unsigned, an inscription in the centre of the reverse side shows that the maker was a Shiite rather than Sunnite. This inscription quotes a remark associated with Muhammad's son-in-law Ali, praising his son Husain over his son Hasan.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.