The encyclopedia "Wonderful Creatures and Wonders of Existence" by the judge and scholar Zakariya al-Qazwini is a prominent example of encyclopedic authorship in the Arab-Islamic heritage, combining astronomical precision with the flight of imagination in the medieval view of the universe. This unique work emerged from al-Qazwini's contemplations of the sky and his travels among the metropolises of the Arab East, condensing in its pages and colored manuscripts a comprehensive view of the universe, blending empirical science with the charm of popular anecdotes.
In the same context, the work combines the description of the universe and its natural phenomena, the classification of living organisms, and the recording of astronomical and geographical knowledge, alongside strange news that reflects the perceptions of humans in that era. The book does not merely collect information; it reveals the methods of classifying and interpreting it, and the close relationship between observation, transmission, contemplation, and imagination in building human knowledge.
For his part, al-Qazwini divided his book geometrically into two main parts: the Upper World, which covered the sky and celestial bodies, and the Lower World, which he dedicated to terrestrial phenomena, waters, topography, plants, animals, and ultimately humans. The author relied on a method based on classification and defining things and stating their characteristics, drawing on multiple knowledge sources and personal observation, while using news and stories to lighten the informative text.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ali pointed out that the book's value transcends its traditional encyclopedic nature, clarifying that: "The wonder in the book's structure is not merely a subject of knowledge, but a tool for producing it and rearranging its boundaries." Al-Ali noted that al-Qazwini does not merely collect existents for their sheer strangeness, but places them within a cosmic vision where the value of particulars is determined by what they reveal about the whole.
For his part, researcher Dr. Muhammad Zakariya Al-Hamad describes the book as one of the rich models that embody the nature of encyclopedic documentation, as it combines the study of astronomy, stars, minerals, plants, animals, and humans. Al-Hamad highlighted the convergence of two parallel paths in the book: observation and natural knowledge on one hand, and wondrous narratives and popular anecdotes on the other, citing what al-Qazwini reported about birds capable of mimicking human speech.
Surviving manuscripts indicate the high status the book held in the history of Islamic authorship. The British Library preserves a valuable illustrated Arabic version dating to around 1300 CE, comprising 368 artistic plates. The book enjoyed widespread prominence, and its texts were translated into multiple languages, including Turkish, remaining a testament to the development of Islamic visual culture and the connections between sciences, geography, and literature.
Zakariya ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmud al-Qazwini, known as Abu Yahya Imad al-Din, was a renowned scholar, geographer, and judge. Born around 1203 CE, he died in Wasit in 1283 CE. He traveled through various regions of the East during his life and served as a judge in Wasit and Al-Hillah during the Abbasid era. He was known for his interest in natural sciences, geography, and history, leaving behind notable works, most notably "Wonderful Creatures and Wonders of Existence" and "Remains of Nations and News of Servants."
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)