In the past, there was a special time known as the "Islamic Golden Age." During this period, people were very curious and interested in learning. They loved reading and writing.
Imagine busy market, beautiful mosques, and lively cities. In these cities, there were special buildings called libraries. These libraries were like bright lights of knowledge. They were open to everyone, no matter where they came from or what language they spoke.
Scholars, poets, and people who wanted to learn would visit these libraries. It was like going on an exciting adventure to discover new things!
This is Anser Akram, Let's step into these ancient halls and listen carefully. You might still hear the echoes of wisdom from long ago. These libraries remind us how important it is to keep learning and searching for knowledge, just like the people did during that remarkable time.
1. Al-Qarawiyyan Library, Fez, Morocco
Founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima El Fihriya in 859, it is one of the oldest libraries in the world & the oldest library in Africa. It also holds the distinction of being the world's oldest working library, & is still in use today.
2. Baytul Hikma (House of Wisdom), Baghdad, Iraq
Founded by the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid (786-809) it was a research & education centre. It culminated under his son Caliph Al-Mamun (813-833) who is credited with its formal institution & flourished from 9th to 13th centuries.
3.Cordoba Library, Spain
Lubna of Cordoba (984) was director of the library with 400,000 volumes. She was responsible to reproduce, write & translate new volumes. According to Arab chronicles at the time of Al Hakam II, there could be in some areas of Cordoba library more than 170 women copying books, which not only gives the idea of culture, but also the place of women in the reign of enlightened Caliph.
4. The House of Knowledge, (Dar al-Ilm, or Dar al-Hikmah) Cairo, Egypt
Founded in 1005 AD under the sixth Caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. Here many subjects, including astronomy, medicine, geometry, theology & grammar were taught by paid scholars.
5. The Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi, Mashad, Iran
Established before 1457, it holds over 1.1 million volumes. It is an international center for Islamic research, containing numerous manuscripts and rare works of antiquity of Islamic history.
6. The Library of Ğāmi' Banī 'Umayya al-Kabir, Umayyad Mosque, Syria
Founded by Caliph Walid I (715). Mashaf-e Osmani copy of the Quran prepared by Hazrat Osman (r.a) was stored in this library. Ibn Batuta saw a copy of this Quran which was sent by Hazrat Osman (r.a.) to Syria.
7. Imperial Library, Fatehpur Sikri
Emperor Jalal al-Din Akbar (1543-1605) established a new library for education of all women in Fatehpur Sikri. The Imperial Library was located in the big hall of the Agra fort. The volumes numbered 24,000 valued at $3,500,000. Every author was obligated to send a copy.
8. Library of Ghazni, Afghanistan
Established by Sultan Mahmud (998-1030) it was considered one of the best in the world. A patron of the arts, he attracted poets from Central Asia including Uzari, Asadi Tusi, & Unsuri. Poet Ferdowsi (1020) presented the poem shahnameh to him.
9. Mamma Haïdara Commerative Library, Timbuktu, Mali
The number of manuscripts in the collections has been estimated as high as 700,000. An illustrated Koran from the 12th century is seen inside the glass case in front of Abdel Kader Haidara who is the curator.
Bro those libraries were actual treasure of knowledge. Very informative👍
ReplyDeleteAmazing article, this shows that the basis of knowledge and related infrastructure (universities, libraries etc) were set up by the Muslims. 10/10 🔥🔥🔥
ReplyDelete