Ahmad Saʻid Ibn Silm
The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century ah: A Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions
Type
abstract
Year
2014
بن سلم، أحمد سعيد. المدينة المنورة في القرن الرابع عشر الهجري: بحوث تاريخية و اجتماعية و اقتصادية و عمرانية و عادات و تقاليد. القاهرة: دار المنار، ١٩٩۳، ٢٥٢ص
Ibn Silm, Ahmad Saʻid. Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah fi al-Qarn al-Rabiʻ ʻAshar al-Hijri: Buhuth Tarikhiyyah wa-‘Ijtimaʻiyyah wa-‘Iqtisadiyyah wa-ʻUmraniyyah wa-ʻAdat wa-Taqalid. Cairo: Dar al-Manar, 1993, 252pp.
ABSTRACT
The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century AH: a Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions.
المدينة المنورة في القرن الرابع عشر الهجري: بحوث تاريخية و اجتماعية و اقتصادية و عمرانية و عادات و تقاليد
As indicated by its title, this book does not seek to provide an in-depth study of Medina's society, history or architecture, but rather an overview of the town, covering in a succinct manner various aspects of interest to the average reader.
The book is not divided into chapters or sections, but rather into a number of successive subjects, beginning with Prophet Muhammad's flight (Hijra), after which the author moves onto the geography of Medina.
The author also explains the town's grace and sanctity, as well as the establishment of the al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) and its enlargement, along with other historical mosques found in Medina. He also touches upon numerous other subjects such as the administration of the Haram (Holy Sanctuary), and the awqafs (religious endowments) within the town. He explains that the migration of many people from Africa and Asia to the holy lands of the Arab Peninsula was due to Western colonisation, as many Muslims desired to live in safety and to observe their religion, whilst also earning a living. The book also examines the siege of the city during the Ottoman era, slavery and its abolition by King Faisal ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz in 1962.
The author also discusses the characteristics of Medina society, including its social etiquette and behaviour. In addition, the book examines marriage rituals, mourning ceremonies and Medinan cuisine, as well as rituals relating to Ramadan and religious festivals.
The reader will also find within the book a description of educational and cultural aspects of the town, in addition to aspects relating to agriculture, manufacturing, the economy, the key markets of Medina and their edifices, as well as the most important streets and means of transports within them.
Furthermore, the author provides a list of common sayings and their meanings. In addition to the status of Medina within Muslim hearts, the author also introduces readers to biographies of eight of the most famous scholars of the fourteenth century AH (twentieth century AC). Following which, he finishes his book with an introduction to the popular pass-times of the people of Medina.
At the back of the book there are five appendices, of which one is titled “Eunuchs” referring to those responsible for guarding the Holy Sanctuary. Another appendix is titled “The servants of Al-Ka‘bah/the Kaaba and the chamberlain of the Holy Sanctuary.” The remaining three appendices include maps and sketches of the town.
Some of the information provided is out-dated. As an example, the book says that “The Holy Sanctuary is administered by Ottoman State employees”, thereafter there is mention of the practice of castration of eunuchs in the towns of Assiut and Jarja in Egypt where the victims are chosen from amongst “slaves”. Likewise, the illustrations lack titles with explanations. Despite these flaws the book meets the average reader's requirements for a general and straight forward overview of Medina.
Dahlia Sabry
Translated by Hugh Lovatt
Citation
Sabry, Dahlia. “English abstract of 'of The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century AH: a Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions'". Translated by Hugh Lovatt. In Cities as Built and Lived Environments: Scholarship from Muslim Contexts, 1875 to 2011, by Aptin Khanbaghi, 78. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014.
Authorities
Collections
Copyright
Muslim Civilisations Abstracts - The Aga Khan University
Terms of Use
Public Domain
Country
Saudi Arabia
Language
English
Related Documents
The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century ah: A Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions
Type
abstract
Year
2014
بن سلم، أحمد سعيد. المدينة المنورة في القرن الرابع عشر الهجري: بحوث تاريخية و اجتماعية و اقتصادية و عمرانية و عادات و تقاليد. القاهرة: دار المنار، ١٩٩۳، ٢٥٢ص
Ibn Silm, Ahmad Saʻid. Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah fi al-Qarn al-Rabiʻ ʻAshar al-Hijri: Buhuth Tarikhiyyah wa-‘Ijtimaʻiyyah wa-‘Iqtisadiyyah wa-ʻUmraniyyah wa-ʻAdat wa-Taqalid. Cairo: Dar al-Manar, 1993, 252pp.
ABSTRACT
The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century AH: a Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions.
المدينة المنورة في القرن الرابع عشر الهجري: بحوث تاريخية و اجتماعية و اقتصادية و عمرانية و عادات و تقاليد
As indicated by its title, this book does not seek to provide an in-depth study of Medina's society, history or architecture, but rather an overview of the town, covering in a succinct manner various aspects of interest to the average reader.
The book is not divided into chapters or sections, but rather into a number of successive subjects, beginning with Prophet Muhammad's flight (Hijra), after which the author moves onto the geography of Medina.
The author also explains the town's grace and sanctity, as well as the establishment of the al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) and its enlargement, along with other historical mosques found in Medina. He also touches upon numerous other subjects such as the administration of the Haram (Holy Sanctuary), and the awqafs (religious endowments) within the town. He explains that the migration of many people from Africa and Asia to the holy lands of the Arab Peninsula was due to Western colonisation, as many Muslims desired to live in safety and to observe their religion, whilst also earning a living. The book also examines the siege of the city during the Ottoman era, slavery and its abolition by King Faisal ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz in 1962.
The author also discusses the characteristics of Medina society, including its social etiquette and behaviour. In addition, the book examines marriage rituals, mourning ceremonies and Medinan cuisine, as well as rituals relating to Ramadan and religious festivals.
The reader will also find within the book a description of educational and cultural aspects of the town, in addition to aspects relating to agriculture, manufacturing, the economy, the key markets of Medina and their edifices, as well as the most important streets and means of transports within them.
Furthermore, the author provides a list of common sayings and their meanings. In addition to the status of Medina within Muslim hearts, the author also introduces readers to biographies of eight of the most famous scholars of the fourteenth century AH (twentieth century AC). Following which, he finishes his book with an introduction to the popular pass-times of the people of Medina.
At the back of the book there are five appendices, of which one is titled “Eunuchs” referring to those responsible for guarding the Holy Sanctuary. Another appendix is titled “The servants of Al-Ka‘bah/the Kaaba and the chamberlain of the Holy Sanctuary.” The remaining three appendices include maps and sketches of the town.
Some of the information provided is out-dated. As an example, the book says that “The Holy Sanctuary is administered by Ottoman State employees”, thereafter there is mention of the practice of castration of eunuchs in the towns of Assiut and Jarja in Egypt where the victims are chosen from amongst “slaves”. Likewise, the illustrations lack titles with explanations. Despite these flaws the book meets the average reader's requirements for a general and straight forward overview of Medina.
Dahlia Sabry
Translated by Hugh Lovatt
Citation
Sabry, Dahlia. “English abstract of 'of The Radiant City in the Fourteenth Century AH: a Study of its History, Society, Economy, Architecture, Customs and Traditions'". Translated by Hugh Lovatt. In Cities as Built and Lived Environments: Scholarship from Muslim Contexts, 1875 to 2011, by Aptin Khanbaghi, 78. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014.
Authorities
Collections
Copyright
Muslim Civilisations Abstracts - The Aga Khan University
Terms of Use
Public Domain
Country
Saudi Arabia
Language
English