Fields of Authorship During the Mamluk Era
This article outlines the notable literary works produced during the Mamluk period.
Religious Writings
The Mamluk era was characterized by a wealth of religious literature that remains significant to this day. Some of the most important works include:
- Fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah.
- The Great Collection of Letters by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.
- Al-Manhal al-Rawi on Prophetic Hadith by Badr al-Din al-Kinani.
- Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran by Jalal ad-Din al-Suyuti.
- Minhaj al-Talibin on Shafi’i Fiqh by Imam al-Nawawi.
- Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al-Ta’wil in Tafsir by al-Baydawi.
- Al-Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah on Tajweed and Al-Nashr on the Ten Readings by Ibn al-Jazari al-Dimashqi.
Arabic Language Sciences
The disciplines of Arabic language sciences were diverse, with numerous significant texts contributing to the field. These sciences can be categorized as follows:
- Lexicography
Among the most prominent dictionaries are:
- Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzur from Egypt, comprising twenty volumes and synthesizing the works of al-Azhari, Ibn Sidah, al-Jawhari, Ibn Durayd, and Ibn al-Athir.
- Al-Qamus al-Muhit by Majd al-Din al-Firozbadi, which is one of the most famous dictionaries and has been translated into Turkish and Persian, along with numerous commentaries, including Taj al-Arous by Sayyid Murtadha al-Zabidi.
- Al-Madhkar in Language Sciences by al-Suyuti, consisting of two volumes.
- Syntax and Morphology
Key works in this area include:
- Alfiya by Ibn Malik.
- Al-Mughni al-Labib on Syntax, along with Qat al-Nada, Bal al-Sada, and Shudhūr al-Dhahab by Ibn Hisham al-Masri.
- Al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair in Syntax by al-Suyuti.
- Rhetoric Sciences
Rhetoric was heavily explored during the Mamluk era, resulting in several notable works:
- Mukhtasir al-Miftah by Jalal al-Din al-Qazwini, known as the Orator of Damascus, which summarizes Al-Miftah al-Ulum by al-Sakkaki and is further explained in his book al-Ihdaah.
- Al-Husn al-Tawassul in the Art of Invocation by Sheikh Shihab al-Din al-Halabi.
- Al-Badiyyah by Sufi al-Din al-Hilli.
- Al-Badiyyah by Ibn Hujjah al-Hamwi.
Encyclopedias and Literature
The Mamluk era also saw the emergence of comprehensive works encompassing various sciences, among which the most notable include:
- Nihayat al-Arab fi Funun al-Adab by al-Nuwairi.
- Masalik al-Absar fi Mamalik al-Anصار by Ibn Fadl Allah al-Umari.
- Subh al-A’ashah fi San’at al-Insha by al-Qalqashandi.
- Al-Mustatraf fi Kuli Fan Mustazraf by al-Abshahi.
Historical Works
The approach to historical documentation during this time shifted from merely recording events to a comprehensive critique of history. Some of the most prominent historical texts include:
- Tarikh Ibn Khaldun, widely regarded as one of the most important historical works that delve into the philosophy of history, reflecting the intellect of a knowledgeable scholar and philosopher.
- Wafayat al-A’yan by Shams al-Din Ibn Khallikan.
- Fawat al-Wafayat by Muhammad Ibn Shakir al-Katibi.
- Al-Khitāt by al-Maqrizi.
- Al-Suluk li Ma’rifat Dawal al-Muluk and Tarikh Abu al-Fida by Ibn al-Wardi.
- Al-Nujum al-Zahira fi Muluk Misr wa al-Qahira and Al-Manhal al-Safi by Ibn Taghribirdi.
- Aja’ib al-Maqdur fi Nawā’ib Timūr by Ibn Arabshah.
- Tarikh al-Islam wa Tabaqat al-Mashahir wa al-A’lam by al-Dhahabi.
Geographical Texts
Notable geographical works of the period include:
- Aja’ib al-Makhluqat by al-Qazwini.
- Taqwim al-Buldan by Abu al-Fida.
- The Journey of Ibn Battuta.
Various Sciences
During this era, numerous books on various scientific disciplines were authored, including:
- Kitab al-Hiyal or Al-Jami’ Bayn al-Ilm wa al-Amal by Abu al-Izz al-Jazari.
- Hayat al-Hayawan al-Kubra by Kamal al-Din al-Dimiri.
- Kashf al-Kurub fi Ma’rifat al-Harub by Imad ad-Din Musa al-Yusuf al-Masri.
- Al-Ahkam al-Mulukiya wa al-Dawabit al-Namusiyya by Muhammad Ibn Manqali.
The Role of Mamluk Sultans in Promoting Authorship
Mamluk sultans played a pivotal role in fostering an environment conducive to writing and scholarship, highlighted by the following points:
- Bringing scholars closer to their courts.
- Establishing centers of learning throughout the city.
- The scholarly distinction displayed by certain Mamluk rulers.
- Consulting and valuing the opinions of scholars on state affairs.