Libraries in the Islamic civilization... Diversity and progress

Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Introduction

Several types of libraries have been known in the Islamic civilization, a phenomenon that had never been witnessed in any other civilization. These libraries prevailed in all parts of the Islamic dynasties, particularly in the palaces of the caliphs, schools, Kuttabs,[1] mosques, capitals of Islamic states, and remote villages and areas, a fact that vehemently reflects ingrained love for knowledge by the people of this civilization.

Types of libraries

The types of libraries that were known in the Islamic civilization include:
Academic libraries: the most famous libraries in the Islamic civilization; the most outstanding of which was Baghdad Library (House of Wisdom).
Private libraries:
They were largely spread throughout the Muslim world, such as the libraries of Caliph al-Mustansir; [2] al-Fath ibn Khaqan, "who used to walk and a book hung in his sleeve to look at it";[3] and renowned Ibn al-Amid, the premier in the Buwayhid Dynasty. The famous historian Ibn Miskawayh stated that he had been the librarian of Ibn al-Amid's library. Ibn Miskawayh relates that a thief broke into Ibn al-Amid's house and stole it and the latter was melancholically depressed, thinking his library was stolen with the rest of the stolen objects. Ibn Miskawayh's account of this library reveals that it had many books and was of a great position in its owner's heart. He says: "Premier Ibn al-Amid was very fond of his books. Nothing was close to his heart than them. The books were large in number, including all branches of knowledge and arts. They were put on a hundred bookcases. When he saw me he asked me about them, I said they were untouched. And so he was released and said: 'I bear witness that you are of good manners. As for the other safes, there are others. But this one (bookcase) cannot be redressed.' Eventually I saw his face released. He said: 'Take them tomorrow early to such-and-such place.' And I did, and all of them (the books) were the only objects of his properties that survived."[4] There was also the library of al-Qady (judge) Ibn al-Mutrif, "who collected what others of his time in Andalusia failed to do."[5]
Public libraries: The public libraries were cultural institutions to preserve the cultural heritage and experiences of humanity, to be accessible by the people of all classes, races, ages, professions, and cultures. This type of libraries include: the Library of Cordoba, founded by the Umayyad Caliph al-Hakam al-Mustansir (350 AH / 961 AD) in Cordoba. He has also appointed professional librarians, scribes, and a large number of bookbinders. The library has been the focus of attention of scientists and students in Andalusia, and inspired the Europeans who flocked to it to gain knowledge. It has had also 44 indexes, each of which was 20 papers, stating only the names of books.[6] There was also the library of Banu Ammar in Tripoli, the Levant. In search for books, agents were sent across the Muslim world to bring the masterpieces and add them to the library, where 85 scribes were employed to copy books day and night.
School libraries: Since the Islamic civilization has paid great attention to the establishment of schools for the education of all people, libraries were annexed to these schools, a natural thing for completing this progress and prosperity. In general, schools have been widespread under Islam in the cities of Iraq, Syria, Egypt and others, with libraries being attached to most of them. Nur al-Din Mahmud built a school in Damascus and attached a library to it, and so did Salah al-Din (Saladin) and his Premier al-Qady al-Fadil, who founded a school in Cairo called al-Fadiliyyah where he deposited about 200,000 books, which he had taken from the bookstores of the Ubaidis. Yaqut al-Hamwy stated several schools with large libraries in Marw at the time. These libraries were open to all.[7]
Mosque libraries: This type of libraries is considered the first to emerge in the history of Islam. Libraries emerged in Islam with the foundation of mosques, such as al-Azhar Mosque library and the library of the Grand Mosque of Kairouan.[8]
"Expenditure on libraries, in general, was deducted from the proceeds of their endowments. The state used to assign certain endowments on such libraries. Some of the wealthy people and philanthropists also gave endowments to help spend on them (libraries)."[9]

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[1]     Kuttab: an Islamic elementary school for teaching Qur'an and Arabic for children.

[2]     Ibn Kathir: al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End), 13/186.

[3]     Al-Dhahaby: Tarikh al-Islam (History of Islam), 18/375.

[4]     Ibn Miskawayh: Tajarib al-Umam (Experiences of the Nations), 6/286.

[5]     Al-Dhahaby: Tarikh al-Islam (History of Islam), 28/61.

[6]     Ibn al-Abar: al-Takmilah li-Kitab al-Silah, 1/190.

[7]     Ribhy Mustafa Alian: al-Maktabat fi al-Hadarah al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah (Libraries in the Arab Islamic Civilization), p. 134.

[8]     See: Sa`id Ahmad Hassan: Anwa` al-Maktabat fi al-A`alamyn al-Araby wa al-Islamy (Types of Libraries in the Arab and Muslim Worlds), pp. 18-78, (adapted).

[9]     Muhammad Hussein Mahasneh: Adwa' `ala Tarikh al-`Ulum `inda al-Muslimin (Spotlight on the History of Sciences of Muslims), p. 161.