Bayt Al-Hikmah in the History of Islamic Libraries: Study of Manuscript Collections and Scientific Functions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61166/iffah.v2i3.61Keywords:
Bayt al-Hikmah, Islamic libraries, manuscripts, translation, intellectual historyAbstract
Bayt al-Hikmah was an institution associated with the development of Islamic intellectual traditions during the Abbasid period. This article examines its position in the history of Islamic libraries, focusing on manuscript collections, the accumulation of knowledge, and its intellectual functions. The study employs a literature review with a descriptive-analytical approach, examining relevant academic books, journal articles, and previous studies. The literature is analyzed through three main themes: the historical development of Bayt al-Hikmah, the characteristics of its collections and the transmission of written knowledge, and its intellectual functions in relation to translation and the use of texts. The findings indicate that Bayt al-Hikmah should be understood within the broader context of palace libraries and the intellectual environment of Abbasid Baghdad. Written collections, translation, and copying contributed to the preservation and transmission of knowledge across languages and cultures. However, the limitations of historical evidence require caution when establishing the precise contents of the collections and the scope of the institution's activities. Therefore, Bayt al-Hikmah should be analyzed proportionately as part of the history of Islamic libraries and intellectual development.
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