Bayt al-Hikma — the House of Wisdom

بيت الحكمة (خزانة الحكمة)

The House of Wisdom at Baghdad, the greatest library whose report survives from the first Abbasid age: al-Rashid laid its nucleus and al-Ma'mun enlarged and strengthened it. Al-Rashid put Yuhanna ibn Masawayh over the translation of the ancient medical books found in Byzantine lands with skilled scribes writing before him; Abu Sahl al-Fadl ibn Nawbakht rendered Persian wisdom-books into Arabic in its khizana, and Allan al-Shu'ubi copied for al-Rashid, al-Ma'mun and the Barmakids. Al-Ma'mun widened it, sending to the Byzantine emperor for the ancient sciences an embassy of al-Hajjaj ibn Matar, Ibn al-Bitriq and Salm the master of the House, and making Sahl ibn Harun keeper of its treasuries — though its precise organisation and site remain wrapped in obscurity.

Overview

The House of Wisdom, also called the Treasury of Wisdom, was a library in Baghdad. Ahmad Amin, in "Duha al-Islam", calls it the greatest library whose report survives from the early Abbasid period. ¹

Origins

al-Rashid laid its foundation, and al-Mamun developed and strengthened it. ¹

In the time of al-Rashid

Al-Rashid appointed Yuhanna ibn Masawayh to translate the old medical books found in the lands of Rum, and assigned skilled scribes to write under his direction. In its library Abu Sahl al-Fadl ibn Nawbakht translated books of wisdom from Persian into Arabic. Allan al-Shu'ubi copied for al-Rashid, al-Mamun and the Barmakids. ¹

In the time of al-Mamun

Al-Mamun expanded it. He sent to the king of Rum asking permission to send for whatever ancient sciences he chose. He sent for them through al-Hajjaj ibn Matar, Ibn al-Batriq and Salm, the head of the House of Wisdom. He made Sahl ibn Harun keeper of its treasures. ¹

What remained unclear

The source states that its system and its exact location both remain shrouded in uncertainty. ¹

The Aman of Samalu and its People's Transfer to Baghdad

In al-Baladhuri: al-Mahdi sent his son Harun al-Rashid raiding in year 163 and he besieged the people of Damalu — which common speech calls Samalu — and they asked his aman, ten householders among them the qummis, which he granted on the condition that they not be separated, so they were settled in Baghdad at the Shammasiyya gate and named their quarter Samalu, which it is still known as; others say they came down on al-Mahdi's ruling — he spared them, gathered them at that spot and ordered it named Samalu; al-Rashid had those remaining in the fortress cried and sold, and an Abyssinian who used to curse al-Rashid and the Muslims was taken and crucified on one of its towers.

Bayt al-Hikma — the House of Wisdom

At a glance

In space

Overview

Origins

In the time of al-Rashid

In the time of al-Mamun

What remained unclear

Connections

People and things also explored

Sources

Objects

The Aman of Samalu and its People's Transfer to Baghdad