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Lounici Ali University of Blida 2
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department : History and Library Science
Division : Library Science
Specialization : Information Technology and Engineering
The Library of Baghdad : The House of Wisdom
- Research Plan :
- Introduction
- First Section :
- First Requirement : History of the Library
- Second Requirement : Characteristics of the Library
- Third Requirement : Other Libraries in Baghdad
- Second Section :
- First Requirement : Role and Importance of the House of Wisdom
- Second Requirement : Major Intellectual Achievements
- Third Requirement : Authors and Scholars
- Conclusion.
1. From the 7th century, the Arabs established a vast empire across Asia,
Africa, and Europe, reaching its peak during the Abbasid Caliphate (750–
1258 AD), an era of remarkable scientific and cultural achievements.
Innovations such as algebra, the camera, and The Thousand and One
Nights emerged, leaving a lasting impact on human civilization.
At the heart of this progress was the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, a hub
for translation, research, and cultural exchange, supported by rulers like
Caliph Al-Ma’mun. This paper examines the House of Wisdom’s role, the
Abbasid intellectual legacy, and its enduring influence on the Islamic
Golden Age and beyond.
- Research Questions :
Based on the research context and research objectives, this paper

proposes the following research questions, which will be organised around
these three key research questions.
RQ1 : How did the House of Wisdom become a centre of intellectual and
cultural exchange for the Abbasids ?
RQ2 : What were the major intellectual achievements during the Abbasid
period ? And how did the House of Wisdom facilitate or contribute to these
achievements ?
RQ3 : What was the impact and significance of intellectual achievements

during the Abbasid caliphate ??
II. First Section : The Library of Baghdad
1. History of the Library
- Foundation and Early Development :
Established by Caliph Harun al-Rashid as part of an effort to promote

scholarship. Its purpose was to gather, preserve, and study texts from
ancient civilizations.
- Growth and Flourishing :
Caliph al-Ma’mun expanded the library, transforming it into a thriving

intellectual hub.
Translation projects under Al-Ma’mun brought works from Greek, Persian,

and Indian origins into Arabic.
- Decline and Fall :
The Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258 CE led to the destruction of the

library and many priceless manuscripts.
This marked the end of the House of Wisdom as an institution and symbol
of intellectual flourishing.
2. Characteristics of the Library
- Multilingual Collection :
Manuscripts were available in Arabic, Greek, Persian, and Sanskrit,

reflecting its diverse intellectual heritage.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration :
Scholars from various disciplines collaborated on research, promoting

innovation across fields like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and
philosophy.
- Inclusivity :
Hosted scholars from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including

Muslims, Christians, and Jews, fostering dialogue and intellectual growth.
3. Other Libraries in Baghdad
- Dār al-ʿIlm (House of Knowledge) :
Focused on legal and religious texts and played a complementary role to

the House of Wisdom.
- Private Libraries :
Wealthy individuals and scholars often maintained private collections,

contributing to the intellectual richness of Baghdad.
- Libraries in Madrasas and Mosques :
Religious institutions often included libraries that supported theological,

legal, and scientific studies.
III. Second Section : Intellectual Contributions and Scholars :
1. Role and Importance of the House of Wisdom
Preserving Knowledge :
- Preserving Knowledge :
The House of Wisdom played a crucial role in translating classical works

into Arabic, preserving the intellectual heritage of ancient civilizations
such as Greek, Persian, and Indian. These translations were not just simple
renditions ; they were essential for safeguarding these texts and making
them accessible for further study and development. This preservation
allowed for the transmission of knowledge to later generations and even
facilitated the transfer of ideas to Europe during the Renaissance.
- Advancing Science and Philosophy :

The House of Wisdom was not limited to translation work but was also a
hub for scientific and philosophical innovation. Scholars built upon the
classical theories, developing new concepts in fields like mathematics,
astronomy, medicine, and chemistry. Figures such as Al-Khwarizmi, who
made foundational contributions to algebra, and Ibn Sina (Avicenna),
whose works in medicine and philosophy were groundbreaking, helped
propel scientific progress.
- Fostering Cultural Exchange :
The House of Wisdom was a melting pot of cultures and ideas, attracting
scholars from across the Islamic world and beyond, including Persia,
Byzantium, and India. This rich diversity encouraged intellectual exchange,
fostering dialogue and collaboration across cultural and religious lines.
Such an environment promoted the blending of ideas, which enriched the
intellectual landscape and contributed to the growth of global knowledge.
- Institutional Role in Education and Learning :
The House of Wisdom also functioned as an academic center, providing

education through lectures, seminars, and scholarly debates. It served as
a place for teaching and mentoring the next generation of scholars and
philosophers. This academic structure played a significant role in the
development of a structured system of education that contributed to the
intellectual growth of the Islamic world and beyond, training scholars who
would go on to make significant contributions to various fields of
knowledge
2 .Major Intellectual Achievements :
2.1 Scientific Field : In the field of science, great advances have been
made in the fields of mathematics, medicine and astronomy. Arabic
Numerals, as an example, are inextricably linked to our present lives. This

marvellous number was absorbed from the Indians by the wise Muslims of
the Arabian Empire and
Introduced to the West and the East. At the same time, these Muslims
introduced the number « 0 » and decimalisation to the world. Specifically,
it was through al’Khwarizmi’s (780-850
CE) famous book "Indian Calculations » that this marvellous number,

which had an incalculable impact on the world,
Became known and accepted. For this reason, they are called Arabic
numerals. Today, Arabic numerals are inseparable from our lives. The field
of optics reflects the accomplishments of physics, and the primary source
for
Information on the science of optics is Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics.

The study of medicine played a significant role in Abbasid science,
particularly in the fields of anatomy and
Pathology. Ibn Sina, a Tajik scientist, was a prominent
Physician during this period and is known for his writings The True Work of
Medicines and The Book of Health. Astronomy
And alchemy were also developed at this time.
2.2. Literary and Artistic Fields : In the field of literature and art, including
poetry, storytelling, philosophy, theology and architecture, there were
Important achievements. Arabic poetry and literature reached its zenith

during the Abbasid Caliphate. The crowning
Achievement of Arabic literature at this time was the world-
Famous Thousand and One Nights, which was not actually the work of any
one writer, but was collected, refined and
Processed over a period of several hundred years by a wide
Range of Middle Eastern townspeople and literati, and was the result of the
ingenuity of a wide range of Arabs and Persians in the region. In addition,
at that time, numerous poets rose to prominence in the courts of Baghdad
and the provincial
Capitals. Among them, we count Abu Tammam, Abu Nawas,
And Al-Mutanabbi.
2.3. Field of Knowledge Preservation and
Dissemination :
In the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, the
Arab empire inherited a great deal of the scientific literature
Of its forefathers as it advanced its frontiers. The empire not
Only preserved this valuable cultural heritage of mankind well,

But also embarked on the translation of literature of great
Significance. The Abbasid translation movement involved a
Great deal of translation work, translating classic works from ancient

Greek, Indian, and Persian cultures into Arabic, and
Studying and disseminating them. The scholars of the Arab
Empire were not satisfied with the knowledge gained through translation,
but corrected many of the errors and deficiencies of the ancient texts and
carried out in-depth examinations and meticulous interpretations and
evaluations.
3. Authors and Scholars
- Al-Khwarizmi : »Father of Algebra » ; introduced methods that shaped

modern mathematics.
- Ibn Sina (Avicenna) :His Canon of Medicine served as the standard

medical text for centuries.
- Al-Razi (Rhazes) :Made groundbreaking advances in chemistry and

medicine.
- Al-Farabi : Contributed significantly to logic, ethics, and political

philosophy, bridging Greek and Islamic thought.
IV. Conclusion :
Through examining the creation and development of the House of Wisdom,

studying its role in the scientific and cultural development of the period,
and analysing and evaluating the intellectual achievements of the period
and their continuing impact, this paper provides a new and comprehensive
perspective and an important historical context for the study of topics
related to scientific achievement in the Abbasid period. In Conclusion,
academics have different views on the founding of the House of Wisdom,
but this paper agrees that the House of Wisdom was founded in the time
of Harun al-Rashid. The House of Wisdom developed step by step under
the support of the rulers to become a centre of intellectual and cultural
exchange for the Abbasids, and played a variety of important roles in
promoting the intellectual achievements of the period. The intellectual
achievement of the Abbasid
Period was far-reaching and wide-ranging. Its scientific achievements in

the fields of mathematics, medicine, chemistry and astronomy laid the
foundations and opened the way for the development of science in later
times, and its influence continues to this day. The intellectual
achievements of the period culminated in the Islamic Golden Age and left
a valuable intellectual legacy for Islamic history and human civilisation.
And, the century-long translation movement of that time had a direct
impact on the European Renaissance, and the works that were translated
and preserved became the spark that ignited the European Renaissance.
However, since this paper’s study of the intellectual achievements of the
Abbasid period is based on a comprehensive perspective, it covers a wide
range of areas, and it is more difficult to analyse the detailed
characteristics of the achievements made during this period and the
specific aspects of their impact. Subsequent studies can focus on the
House of Wisdom as a centre of intercultural exchange during this period
as an entry point for further research on the achievements of this period
under the influence of cultural fusion, which will help to gain a deeper
understanding of the universality and uniqueness of the intellectual
achievements of this period.
References :
Al-Diyaji, S. (1975). Bayt Al-Hikmah (house of wisdom). (2 nd Ed.). Dar al-

Kutub li-Tiba’a wa Nashr. Mosul.
Al-Khalili, Jim (2011),The House of Wisdom : HowArabic Science Saved

Ancient Knowledge and GaveUs the Renaissance,New York : Penguin
Press,ISBN
Lyons, Jonathan (2009),The House of Wis-dom : How the Arabs

Transformed Western Civ-ilization,New York : Bloomsbury Press, ISBN
Simidchieva, Marta. The Emergence and Development of Islamic

Scholastism (Kalam).
Lecture, York University : January 18, 2011.
Nasr, S. H. (2003). Science and Civilization in Islam. Harvard University

Press.
Rashed, R. (2002). Al-Khwarizmi : The Father of Algebra. Springer.
Pormann, P. E., & Savage-Smith, E. (2007). Medieval Islamic Medicine.

Edinburgh University Press.

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Lounici Ali University of Blida 2

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department : History and Library Science

Division : Library Science

Specialization : Information Technology and Engineering

The Library of Baghdad : The House of Wisdom

- First Requirement : History of the Library

- Second Requirement : Characteristics of the Library

- Third Requirement : Other Libraries in Baghdad

- First Requirement : Role and Importance of the House of Wisdom

- Second Requirement : Major Intellectual Achievements

- Third Requirement : Authors and Scholars

Based on the research context and research objectives, this paper

RQ3 : What was the impact and significance of intellectual achievements

II. First Section : The Library of Baghdad

1. History of the Library

- Foundation and Early Development :

Established by Caliph Harun al-Rashid as part of an effort to promote

- Growth and Flourishing :

Caliph al-Ma’mun expanded the library, transforming it into a thriving

Translation projects under Al-Ma’mun brought works from Greek, Persian,

- Decline and Fall :

The Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258 CE led to the destruction of the

Manuscripts were available in Arabic, Greek, Persian, and Sanskrit,

Scholars from various disciplines collaborated on research, promoting

Hosted scholars from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including

3. Other Libraries in Baghdad

- Dār al-ʿIlm (House of Knowledge) :

Focused on legal and religious texts and played a complementary role to

Wealthy individuals and scholars often maintained private collections,

- Libraries in Madrasas and Mosques :

Religious institutions often included libraries that supported theological,

III. Second Section : Intellectual Contributions and Scholars :

1. Role and Importance of the House of Wisdom

The House of Wisdom played a crucial role in translating classical works

- Advancing Science and Philosophy :

- Fostering Cultural Exchange :

- Institutional Role in Education and Learning :

The House of Wisdom also functioned as an academic center, providing

2 .Major Intellectual Achievements :

Numerals, as an example, are inextricably linked to our present lives. This

CE) famous book "Indian Calculations » that this marvellous number,

Information on the science of optics is Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics.

Pathology. Ibn Sina, a Tajik scientist, was a prominent

And alchemy were also developed at this time.

Important achievements. Arabic poetry and literature reached its zenith

Achievement of Arabic literature at this time was the world-

Processed over a period of several hundred years by a wide

Capitals. Among them, we count Abu Tammam, Abu Nawas,

2.3. Field of Knowledge Preservation and

In the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, the

Arab empire inherited a great deal of the scientific literature

Of its forefathers as it advanced its frontiers. The empire not

Only preserved this valuable cultural heritage of mankind well,

Significance. The Abbasid translation movement involved a

Great deal of translation work, translating classic works from ancient

Studying and disseminating them. The scholars of the Arab

3. Authors and Scholars

- Al-Khwarizmi : »Father of Algebra » ; introduced methods that shaped

- Ibn Sina (Avicenna) :His Canon of Medicine served as the standard