~ BAYT AL-HIKMAH ~

Although these two caliphs contributed greatly to preserving the valuable knowledge of the various subjects, it was Al-Ma’mun, son of Harun al-Rashid who contributed and supported this the most. A larger more official institution the “House of wisdom” (Bayt al-Hikmah in Arabic) was established by Al Ma’mun. Only the best translators worked in the Bayt al-Hikmah to preserve the philosophical and scientific manuscripts from foreign lands. Most of the famous Muslim scholars from the 9th to 13th centuries had their educational roots in Baghdad. Bayt al-Hikmah attracted scholars from all over the world, from many cultures and religions. They studied the works of Aristotle, Plato, Hippocrates, Euclid, and Pythagoras. The House of Wisdom was home to, among others, the most famous mathematician of the time: Al-Khawarizmi, the “Father” of Algebra (which is named after his book “Kitab al-Jabr”). The House of Wisdom was the greatest “think tank” the medieval world had ever seen! Without the translations and research that went on here, much of the Greek, Latin and Egyptian knowledge would have been lost to the world. Much of the Muslims efforts are overlooked by the west at this present period of time, although their works are still admired by many. The historian Al-Maqrizi described the opening of the House of Wisdom in 1004:“In 1004 A.D. ‘The House of Wisdom’ was opened. The students took up their residence. The books were brought from [many other] libraries … and the public was admitted. Whosoever wanted was at liberty to copy any book he wished to copy, or whoever required to read a certain book found in the library could do so. Scholars studied the Qur’an, astronomy, grammar, lexicography and medicine. The building was, moreover, adorned by carpets and all doors and corridors had curtains, and managers, servants, porters and other menials were appointed to maintain the establishment. Out of the library of Caliph al-Hakim those books were brought which he had gathered– books in all sciences and literatures and of exquisite calligraphy such as no king had ever been able to bring together. Al-Hakim permitted admittance to everyone, without distinction of rank, who wished to read or consult any of the books”. Baghdad became a city of knowledge, “There were many libraries from which to borrow books in the Muslim civilization. Historians list thirty-six libraries in Baghdad alone around the middle of the thirteenth century, and that does not include the House of Wisdom!