Knowledge is not what is memorized. Knowledge is what benefits.
Imam Al-Shafi’i
The Islamic Golden Age, spanning from the 8th to the 14th century, was an era of remarkable intellectual achievements in fields such as science, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, and literature. During this period, scholars from different parts of the Islamic world, stretching from Spain to Central Asia, gathered to preserve, translate, and expand upon the knowledge of ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Persians, and Indians. Islamic Golden Age libraries played a central role in this intellectual movement. They were hubs where scholars worked together to advance human knowledge. The libraries of Baghdad, Cairo, Cordoba, and other great cities were unmatched in their collections, housing thousands of manuscripts on various subjects.
There is an expansive list of ancient Muslim libraries. In this article, we will focus specifically on the libraries of the Golden age of Islam.
The Rise of Intellectualism in the Islamic Golden Age
From the very beginnings of Islam, the pursuit of knowledge was highly valued. One of the most significant moments in Islamic history is the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). These verses began with the word “Iqra,” meaning “read” or “recite” (Quran 96:1) and set the tone for an entire civilization that placed immense value on education. The Prophet Muhammad himself emphasized the importance of knowledge, saying, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Sunan Ibn Majah). This encouragement led to a culture where learning was seen as an act of devotion.
Introduction of Paper: The introduction of paper into the Islamic world revolutionized the preservation and distribution of knowledge in Muslim Libraries. Paper-making technology, originally developed in China, was introduced to Muslims in the 8th century. This technology quickly spread throughout the Islamic world, from Baghdad to Spain.
The use of paper made book production cheaper and more efficient compared to parchment or papyrus, which had been used previously. This led to an explosion in the number of books being written, copied, and collected. Libraries began to grow rapidly, as scholars could now easily acquire, copy, and share manuscripts on various subjects.
Famous Libraries of the Golden Age of Islam
Bayt al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) Baghdad
The most famous Islamic Golden Age library was the House of Wisdom in Baghdad (today’s the capital of Iraq). It was established during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid (r. 786–809 CE) and further developed under his son Al-Mamun.
Bayt al-Hikmah functioned as both a library and an academy for scholars from various parts of the Islamic empire. Its primary role was to facilitate translating works from ancient civilizations, mainly Greek, Persian, and Indian texts, into Arabic. Scholars in the House of Wisdom not only translated but also preserved and expanded upon this knowledge, contributing original works in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. Among its most famous scholars were the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who made significant contributions to algebra, and the philosopher Al-Kindi, who synthesized Greek thought with Islamic philosophy. The destruction of the House of Wisdom in 1258 during the Mongol invasion of Baghdad marked a significant loss of knowledge and cultural heritage.
Al-Qarawiyyin Library, Fez, Morocco
The Al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morocco, is one of the oldest continuously operating libraries in the world. Founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, a devout Muslim woman, the library was originally part of the larger Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University complex, which became a major learning center in the Islamic world.
The library’s collection included rare manuscripts on Islamic law (fiqh), theology, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Some of its notable works include a 9th-century copy of the Quran and early Islamic treatises on mathematics and astronomy. Al-Qarawiyyin attracted scholars from across the Muslim world and Europe and played a critical role in the intellectual exchange between Islamic and European scholars. The library underwent restoration in recent years, preserving its historical legacy while continuing to serve as a symbol of learning and scholarship.
Dar al-Hikmah, Cairo
The Fatimid Caliphate, which ruled Egypt from 909 to 1171 CE, also made significant contributions to the world of Islamic libraries. The Dar al-Hikmah (دار الحکمہ, House of Knowledge) in Cairo (today’s Capital of Egypt), founded in 1004 CE by Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, served as both a library and an academic institution. It housed many manuscripts on diverse subjects such as theology, science, medicine, and astrology. The Dar al-Hikmah was open to scholars and students from all over the Islamic world, allowing them access to its extensive resources. Caliph Al-Hakim ensured that the library was well-funded and that scholars were supported in their pursuits. It also became a center for Ismaili studies, reflecting the Fatimid dynasty’s Shia Islamic orientation. The library’s influence spread across the Islamic world, contributing to the flourishing of knowledge during the medieval period.
Cordoba Libraries, Al-Andalus (Spain)
During the Islamic rule of Al-Andalus (present-day Spain), the city of Cordoba emerged as a major cultural and intellectual hub in Europe, home to some of the most significant libraries of the Islamic Golden age. By the 10th century, under the rule of Caliph Al-Hakam II (r. 961–976 CE), Cordoba boasted several libraries, with the Caliphal library “Dar ul-Kitabat (دار الكتب, House of Books or Repository of Books) being the most famous.
Al-Hakam II was a passionate bibliophile who collected manuscripts from all corners of the Islamic world. His library reportedly housed over 400,000 volumes, an astronomical number for the time, dwarfing the largest libraries in Christian Europe. Scholars from different disciplines gathered in Cordoba to study, and the libraries of Cordoba became key centers for the transmission of knowledge, particularly in the fields of philosophy, medicine, and the sciences. Works from the Islamic world were translated into Latin, allowing European scholars to access this vast body of knowledge, eventually contributing to the European Renaissance.
Library of Al-Zahra, Al-Andalus (Spain)
The Library of Al-Zahra was part of the larger palace-city complex of Madinat al-Zahra, located outside of Cordoba. This library, like others in Al-Andalus, reflected the immense scholarly activity that took place under the Umayyad Caliphate. Built during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III (r. 912–961 CE) and expanded by his son Al-Hakam II, Madinat al-Zahra was a symbol of Umayyad power and cultural prestige.
The library itself housed a wealth of manuscripts and was central to the intellectual life of the court. Scholars who had access to the library engaged in discussions and research in fields ranging from history to astronomy. Although Madinat al-Zahra was later destroyed during civil unrest in the 11th century, its library played a critical role in advancing the intellectual legacy of Al-Andalus and bridging the gap between the Islamic world and medieval Europe.
The Mustansiriya School and Library, Baghdad
Founded in 1227 CE by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah, the Mustansiriya School and Library was one of the most advanced educational institutions of the Islamic Golden Age. Located in Baghdad, Iraq, it became a renowned center for higher learning, especially in the fields of law, medicine, mathematics, and science.
The library within the Mustansiriya School housed a vast collection of manuscripts and scholarly works, offering resources for students and teachers alike. Its curriculum covered a wide range of subjects, and the institution exemplified the educational and intellectual traditions of the Abbasids. The Mustansiriya’s library was a critical center for knowledge until the Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258, which destroyed countless manuscripts.
The Library of Tripoli, Lebanon
The Library of Tripoli, named the House of Learning (Dur-ul-Ilm) in Lebanon, was another prominent library and intellectual hub in the Islamic Golden age. Built during the 11th century, it is said to have housed over 100,000 volumes. Tripoli itself was a vibrant city, serving as a crossroads for scholars from both the Islamic world and beyond. The library had a comprehensive collection of works in the sciences, medicine, literature, and Islamic jurisprudence. Unfortunately, the library was destroyed in 1109 during the Crusade wars, when European forces besieged and captured the city. Its loss represented a significant blow to the intellectual wealth of the region.
h. Library of Bukhara, Central Asia
Bukhara, located in present-day Uzbekistan, was one of the vital cultural centers of the Islamic world, particularly under the rule of the Samanid dynasty in the 9th and 10th centuries.
The city’s library, renowned for its extensive collection of manuscripts, was a testament to Bukhara’s status as a major learning center. The library attracted scholars from across the Islamic world, including the famous philosopher and scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna), who is said to have studied extensively there. The library’s collection focused on a wide range of topics, including science, philosophy, and Islamic studies, making Bukhara one of the intellectual capitals of Central Asia.
The Library of Rayy, Persia (Iran)
The city of Rayy, located near modern-day Tehran (Iran’s Capital), was an important cultural and intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age. Its library was founded during the Seljuk period (11th–12th centuries). The Library of Rayy, much like other Islamic Golden Age libraries, contained a large number of manuscripts, particularly on topics related to Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and philosophy. Scholars from Rayy made significant contributions to Islamic thought, and the city’s library played a crucial role in supporting this intellectual output. Although much of the city, including its library, was later destroyed by invading Mongol forces, Rayy’s intellectual legacy continued to influence scholars across the Islamic world.
Library of Nishapur, Persia (Iran)
Nishapur, a key city in northeastern Iran, was another intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age. The library of Nishapur, flourishing particularly in the 10th and 11th centuries, was known for its rich collection of books on Islamic law, literature, and the sciences. The city attracted scholars such as Al-Biruni and Al-Farabi, who contributed to various fields of knowledge. The library became a learning center in the region until it suffered significant damage during the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
Other Notable Libraries
Al-Azhar University Library, Cairo, Egypt
Al-Azhar University, founded in 970 CE, is one of the oldest Islamic institutions still in existence today. Its library has grown into a major repository of Islamic scholarship, containing tens of thousands of manuscripts in various fields, particularly Islamic law (Sharia), theology, and Arabic literature.
Library of Ghazni
Located in modern-day Afghanistan, the Library of Ghazni flourished under the Ghaznavid dynasty (10th–12th centuries). The Ghaznavids, particularly under Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, collected manuscripts from across the Islamic world, contributing to the cultural and intellectual life of the city.
Al-Firdaws
Al-Firdaws was another notable library located in Aleppo, Syria, which flourished under the Ayyubid dynasty. It was founded by the famous Ayyubid ruler Nur al-Din Zengi in the 12th century. It housed various manuscripts on various subjects, from Islamic jurisprudence to philosophy.
During the Islamic Golden Age, libraries were not only places for reading and borrowing books but also vibrant centers of intellectual discourse, translation, and research.
Conclusion
Islamic Golden Age libraries stand as monumental testaments to the rich intellectual tradition of the Islamic civilization, which flourished between the 8th and 14th centuries. These institutions were not merely collections of books; they were vibrant hubs of knowledge, innovation, and cultural exchange. Through their dedication to preserving and expanding the frontiers of human understanding, they played an essential role in shaping the trajectory of science, philosophy, medicine, and the arts.
References
- Library culture in the Islamic Golden Age
- Research Paper: Muhammad Syafii Antonio, Aam Slamet Rusydiana, Dwi Purwoko, Husnul Khatimah, Amelia Tri Puspita. 2021. Islamic Library: History, Classification, and Waqf Role.
- Research Paper: Agus Rifai and Imam Subchi, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta. History of Sciences and Libraries in the Islamic World: A Mutual Relationship
- Research Paper: Aam Slamet Rusydiana, Aisyah As-Salafiyah, and Dewi Rahmi, 2021. History of Libraries in the Islamic Period
- Research Paper: Celeste Gianni 2016. History of Libraries in the Islamic World: A Visual Guide
- Research Paper: Ribhi Mustafa Elayyan 1990. The history of the Arabic-Islamic Libraries: 7th to 14th Centuries
- Research Paper: Ulul Absor and Viola Dwi Putri Syarif. The existence of Islamic Libraries in the Classical Century in Eastern and Western States & the Role of Libraries in the Era of Islamic Civilization: A Case Study of Baghdad (Daula Abbasiyah) and Spanish (Bani Umaiyyah II)
- Libraries of the Muslim World (859-2000) – Muslim HeritageMuslim Heritage