The following is a list of known manuscripts belonging to Strachan's library, using Strachan's catalogue numbers, where appropriate. Dates are given in both the Hijri and Gregorian calendars. The diacritics shown for the transliteration of Arabic and Persian script are those used in the given quotations. Dellavida uses DMG (Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft). Others use ALA-LC (American Library Association and Library of Congress).

Strachan's Catalogue No.: 5 Vatican Library Arabic: 422

Title: Bānat Su‘ād

Author: Ka‘b ibn Zuhayr

Strachan's comments: Poema magni nominis inter Arabas, cui nomen [Burda], Auth(ore) Kiab ibn Zuheir qui tempore Mahometis floruit et hoc poema et ipse pseudopropheta discendu(m) suis commendare solebat et lamiat il arab appellabat quia in hanc literam o(mn)es versus desinu(n)t. In singular carmina commentaries [opera?] Ibn Hisham [grammati]ci eximij. Emit Babilonj An(n)o Dni. 1619 Georgius Strachanus Merniensis Scotus.

A poem greatly appraised among the Arabs, entitled Burda, the author of which is Kiab ibn Zuheir, who flourished in Mahomet's time. The Pseudoprophet himself recommended that his followers learn this poem and called it lamiat il arab, because all its verses end with that letter. Each verse has a commentary by Ibn Hisham, an outstanding grammarian. Bought at Babylon in ad 1619 by George Strachan, of the Mearns, Scot. Dellavida's comments: The story related with Ka’b ibn Zuhayr's poem is famous in the history of early Arab literature. When Mahommed had founded his community in Medina but not yet achieved his triumph by the conquest of Mecca, Ka’b ibn Zuhayr, who at that time was one of the best known poets of Arabia, attacked him and his new religion in a violent satire. The increasing power of Mahommed made the position of the poet very dangerous. He was threatened with death should he fall into the hands of the offended Prophet. Therefore, he resolved to appease him, and went directly to the lion's den, to present another poem to him, in which he apologised for the previous attacks, and extolled Mahommed and Islam. Not only was he forgiven but he had the honour of being given the Prophet's own mantle, which was later sold to the Caliphs by his heirs and which became one of the most holy relics in the Islamic world.