Ibn al-Qutiyya facts for kids
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya (died November 6, 977) was a famous historian and language expert from Al-Andalus (which was the Muslim-ruled part of Spain). His full name was Muḥammad Ibn ʿUmar Ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʾIbrāhīm ibn ʿIsā ibn Muzāḥim. People also called him Abu Bakr or al-Qurtubi, meaning "the Córdoban." He was one of the best language scholars at the court of Caliph Al-Hakam II during the Umayyad dynasty. His most important book, History of the Conquest of al-Andalus, is one of the first Arabic accounts of how Muslims conquered Spain.
His Life and Family
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya's name means "son of the Gothic woman." He said his family came from Wittiza, who was the last king of the Visigoths in Spain. This connection came through Wittiza's granddaughter, Sara al-Qutiyya. Sara traveled to Damascus and married ʿĪsā ibn Muzāḥim, an Arab who worked for the Umayyad caliph Hisham. Sara and ʿĪsā later moved back to Al-Andalus.
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya was born and grew up in Seville. His family was supported by the Qurayshi tribe. His father was a qāḍī (a judge) in Seville and Écija. Another family from Seville, the Banu Hajjaj, were also close relatives. They also claimed to be related to Visigothic kings.
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya's student, al-Faraḍī, wrote a short description of his teacher. This description was found in an old book in Tunis in 1887. Al-Faraḍī tells us that Ibn al-Qūṭiyya first studied in Seville, then in Córdoba. He studied and learned a big history book called Al-Kāmil from a famous language expert named al-Mubarrad. Ibn al-Qūṭiyya died in Córdoba when he was old.
His Writings and Ideas
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya's history book is full of interesting stories. It's different from other Arab history books of his time. Because he had royal ancestors, he likely supported the agreements made between the Arab Muslim conquerors and the Gothic nobles. These agreements allowed the Gothic nobles to keep their lands.
Ibn al-Qūṭiyya disagreed with other historians who criticized these treaties. He believed these agreements helped the Islamic rule grow stronger without needing many soldiers. His history also tells the story of how "the sons of Wittiza" played a part in the famous Battle of Guadalete.
His Books
- Ta'rikh iftitāḥ al-Andalus (History of the Conquest of al-Andalus): This is his most famous work. Only one copy of the original book still exists today. It is kept in the National Library of France. This 18-volume history was written when the Umayyad Caliphate in Al-Andalus was very strong. It covers the first 250 years of its rule. Ibn al-Qūṭīyya wrote about the lives of Christians, Jews, and Muslims who converted to Islam. He also included stories about rulers, servants, officials, poets, judges, and doctors.
- Early Islamic Spain: the History of Ibn al-Qūṭīya: This is an English translation of his famous history book, published in 2009.
- Kitāb Taṣārīf al-af’āl (Book on the Conjugation of Verbs): This is the oldest known Arabic dictionary that still exists. It helps people understand how Arabic verbs change.
- Kitāb al-Maqṣūr wa 'l-Mamdūd (Book on the Shortened and Extended Alif): This book was mentioned by his student al-Faraḍī, but no copies of it have been found.
See also
In Spanish: Ibn al-Qutiyya para niños
