Life of Animals

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā
AuthorAl-Damiri
Original titleحياة الحيوان الكبرى
LanguageArabic
SubjectZoology, Islamic literature
GenreEncyclopedia
Published14th century
Publication placeMamluk Sultanate
Media typeManuscript

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā (The Life of Animals) is a comprehensive zoological encyclopedia written by al-Damiri. The book details the characteristics and stories of various animals, weaving together scientific facts, folklore, and moral lessons.[1]

Author

Al-Din Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Damiri (A.H. 745-808 / A.D. 1344-1405) was an eminent scholar known for his contributions to zoology and Islamic literature. A notable manuscript of his work is dated 24th Jumādā II 852 / 25th August 1448 (MS Ar. 25, I).[2][3]

Structure and content

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā is celebrated for its alphabetical arrangement and polythematic approach, making it a rich source of knowledge for both scientific and cultural insights. It covers not only the physical and behavioral traits of animals but also their symbolic significance, drawing from a variety of sources including ancient texts and contemporary accounts.[4][5]

Influence and legacy

Al-Damiri's work is recognized for its impact on both Islamic and global zoological studies. His method of integrating scientific observation with literary and ethical perspectives has made this book a unique and enduring piece of literature.[5]

Significance in Islamic culture

The book holds a special place in Islamic culture for its holistic approach to animal life, reflecting the interconnectedness of all creatures as viewed in Islamic thought. It has been referenced in numerous subsequent works, underlining its importance in the canon of Islamic zoological literature.[6]

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá

"Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá" (The Lesser Life of Animals) is another work by al-Damiri, which is a shorter version of this more comprehensive "Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā." While the larger work covers a wide range of animals in great detail, the "Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá" focuses on a more concise collection of animals and their characteristics.[7]

References

  1. ^ Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā. 1891.
  2. ^ Iskandar, A. Z. (1984). A Descriptive List of Arabic Manuscripts on Medicine and Science at the University of California, LosAngeles. Brill Archive. ISBN 90-04-06918-6.
  3. ^ Conrad, Lawrence I. (16 August 2012). "A. Z. Iskandar, A descriptive list of Arabic manuscripts on medicine and science at the University of California, Los Angeles, Leiden, Brill, 1984, 8vo, pp. xiv, 119 illus., DF1.48.00" (PDF). Medical History. 30 (4).
  4. ^ Gelder, Geert Jan van (December 2012). Classical Arabic Literature: A Library of Arabic Literature Anthology. NYU Press. ISBN 978-0-8147-7120-4.
  5. ^ a b König, Jason; Woolf, Greg (17 October 2013). Encyclopaedism from Antiquity to the Renaissance. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-03823-3.
  6. ^ Ahmad, Maqbul; Al-Hassan, Ahmad Youssef; Iskandar, Albert Z. (31 December 2002). The different aspects of islamic culture: Sciences and Technology in Islam. UNESCO. ISBN 978-92-3-103831-0.
  7. ^ "Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān, [1600] and حياة الحيوان، [1600] - Yale University Library".