Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani

Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani

Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani, whose full name is Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan ibn Ya’qub ibn Yusuf ibn Dawood ibn Suleiman Al-Arhabi Al-Bakili Al-Hamdani, stands as one of the foremost geographers of the Arabian Peninsula during his time. He was also a historian, philosopher, traveler, poet, and genealogist, displaying a profound understanding of various sciences including astronomy, chemistry, and philosophy. In this article, we will explore the life of Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani, along with his notable works.

Overview of Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani

Born in Yemen, specifically in Sana’a, Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani was known by multiple titles, including Ibn Ya’qub, Ibn Al-Ha’ik, Al-Nassaba, Ibn Al-Damineh, and Lisan Al-Yemen. He earned the name Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani in reference to the Hamdan tribe, one of the largest tribes in Yemen. He passed away in the village of Rayda in the Amran region.

Life of Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani

During his early years, Al-Hamdani traveled to Makkah, where he amassed a wealth of books on genealogy, poetry, and various fields of knowledge that surpassed the works of Ptolemy. He was significantly influenced by translations from Persian, Greek, and Indian texts, adopting some of their ideas and showing respect to their authors. For instance, after presenting Aristotle’s views on the origin of heat within the Earth, he remarked: “The wise man has indeed reasoned well in his deductions, even if his conclusions about the origin of heat are not based on foundational principles.” He further elaborates on his perspective throughout his writings. Al-Hamdani interacted with numerous scholars from Iraq, and while it is believed that he traveled there and met several eminent figures, some uncertainty surrounds this account.

There are differing narratives regarding Al-Hamdani’s imprisonment, as historical accounts intertwine his short imprisonment in Sa’dah by Al-Nasir with his lengthy confinement in Sana’a by the Al-Yafar clan. Notably, some tribal leaders intervened on his behalf, demanding his release, which ultimately led to his freedom. Following this, he resided in Rayda for the remainder of his life.

Works of Abu Muhammad Al-Hamdani

Al-Hamdani authored numerous books, many of which remain unidentified. Among his notable works are:

• **The Two Ancient Jewels** – This text primarily addresses chemistry. Contrary to popular belief that Al-Hamdani sought to transmute copper into gold, his focus lay on studying known minerals of his era, their characteristics, purification methods, and applications in industry and medicine. One standout aspect of this work is his reliance on empirical methods; he is believed to have been the first to reference the principle of gravity, stating: “He who is beneath it; that is, under the earth below, remains erect just as one above it, having an equal descent and uprightness regarding its surface.”
• **Description of the Arabian Peninsula** – This work provides evidence supporting the Earth’s spherical shape.
• **The Crown (Al-Ikleel)** – This book contains narratives concerning the Arabs and other previous nations; however, it is now considered lost.
• **The Book of Camels** – Focused on various animals.
• **Secrets of Wisdom**
• **Accounts of the Faithful (Akhbar Al-Awfa)**
• **Names of Months and Days**
• **The Days**

* **The Book of Genealogy** – It is speculated that this work may be part of “The Crown (Al-Ikleel).”