📚 Discover TABAQAT: An Exploration of Islamic Biographical Dictionaries

Dive into 'Tabaqat,' Islamic biographical dictionaries that provide detailed accounts of notable figures in Islamic history sorted by rank, profession, or generation. Understand their origins, significance, and development through time.

📜 Definition and Meaning of Tabaqat§

Tabaqat (Arabic: طبقات) are Islamic biographical dictionaries, meticulously arranged by rank, class, or generation. These compilations catalog the lives of significant figures in Islamic history. Such biographies might be grouped thematically by profession, geographically by city or region, or temporally in chronological order. Entries in Tabaqat usually include:

  • Genealogy and family background
  • Marriages and children
  • Acceptance of Islam and critical life events
  • Declarations of allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (bayʿah)
  • Contributions to Islam and scholarly works
  • Information about the person’s death, funeral, and attending mourners

🔍 Etymology§

The term Tabaqat originates from the Arabic root “t-b-q” (ط-ب-ق) which means “to fold” or “to stack,” symbolizing layered groupings or classifications.

📚 Background and Historical Facts§

  • Earliest Compilations: One of the earliest known Tabaqat is “Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir” written by Ibn Sa’d (784–845 CE), a renowned historian and biographer.
  • Significance: These biographical dictionaries hold immense value for Islamic history and genealogy, offering unique insights into the lives of prominent individuals and their societal contributions.
  • Evolution: Over time, Tabaqat collections expanded to include various categories like scholars (fuqaha), jurists, poets, and saints, providing a comprehensive account of Islamic heritage.

🌏 Cultural Differences and Similarities§

  • Synonyms: Biographical dictionary, genealogical catalogue
  • Antonyms: Ahistorical, non-biographical
  • Related terms with definitions:
    • Hagiography: A biography of saints and religious leaders, focusing on their virtues and holiness.
    • Tarikh: Arabic for history, often intertwined with Tabaqat concerning historical accounts.

🌟 Exciting Facts§

  • Multiple Formats: Tabaqat can range from manuscript collections to printed volumes and digital formats.
  • Global Influence: Islamic biographical dictionaries have influenced biographical traditions beyond the Muslim world, showcasing their universal relevance.

📖 Quotations from Notable Writers§

Ibn Sa’d once remarked:

“The purpose of compiling the biographies in my Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir is to provide future generations with genuine examples of piety, knowledge, and humanity.”

📚 Suggested Literature and Sources§

  • Books: “Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir” by Ibn Sa’d, “Biographical Dictionaries: From the Dawn of Descriptive Writing” by Lutz Schmadel.
  • Journals: Islamic History and Civilization: Studies and Texts, Journal of Islamic Studies.
  • Resources:
    • Encyclopaedia of Islam
    • The History of Islamic Biographies by John Esposito.

8 Quizzes with Explanations§

Farewell! May the past inspire your future endeavors and fuel your quest for knowledge. — Ahmad Al-Rashid, 2023.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Islam Dictionary

IslamicTermsLexicon.com is your ultimate resource for understanding the vast and intricate world of Islamic doctrines, rites, ceremonies, customs, and technical & theological terms. Our comprehensive dictionary provides thousands of terms in both English and Arabic, each with detailed definitions, authoritative references, and quizzes designed to sharpen your understanding and enhance your learning experience.

Amina Al-Fahad Ibrahim Al-Hakim Ibrahim Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Hassan Hassan Al-Rashid Fatima Al-Hassan Fatima Al-Zahra Yusuf Al-Hakim Layla Al-Rashid Fatima Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Mansur Layla Hassan Zainab Al-Rashid Fatima Zahra Layla Al-Hassan Zayd Al-Hakim Zaynab Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Yusuf Layla Hasan Yusuf Al-Mahdi Yusuf Al-Rashid Dr. Layla Hassan Fatima Al-Husseini Harun Al-Rashid Ibrahim Malik Layla Ahmed Mustafa Al-Hakim Ahmad Al-Rashid Hakim Al-Rashid Hasan Al-Rashid Hassan Al-Hakim Hassan Al-Tamimi Ibrahim Al-Hakeem Ibrahim Al-Hashimi Ibrahim Al-Hussein Ibrahim Al-Karim Ibrahim Al-Khalil Ibrahim Al-Yazid Ibrahim Mustafa Khalid Al-Mansoor Omar Al-Hakim Omar Al-Rashid Samira Al-Hakim Tariq Al-Hakim Yusuf Al-Mansur Zainab Malik Zaynab Al-Hakim Zaynab Al-Hussein Ahmad Al-Hakim Fatima Ahmed Fatima Al-Husayni Fatima Al-Hussein Fatima Al-Mansouri Fatima El-Amin Fatima El-Sayed Fatima Rahman Fatima Rahmani Fatima Siddiqui Fatimah Al-Rashid Fatimah Zahra Hassan Al-Mansur Hassan Al-Razi Ibrahim Al-Husseini Ibrahim Al-Khatib Ibrahim Al-Mahdi Ibrahim Al-Mansoor Ibrahim Al-Mansour Ibrahim Al-Mansouri Ibrahim Al-Najjar Ibrahim Hassan Ibrahim Khalid Ibrahim Suleiman Khalid Al-Rashid Layla Al-Hakim Layla Al-Hashimi Layla Al-Mansoori Layla Al-Mansouri Layla Al-Zahra Layla Mahmoud Layla Mustafa Layla Rahman Tariq Al-Mansur Yasmin Al-Hassan Yasmin Al-Rashid Yusuf Al-Mansoor Yusuf Ibn Khalid Zara Ahmed Zaynab Hassan Ahmed Al-Hakim Aisha Ahmed Aisha Al-Hassan Aisha Rahman Aliyah Rahman Farah Al-Zahra Fatima Al-Habib Fatima Al-Hariri Fatima Al-Hassani Fatima Al-Mahmoud Fatima Al-Najjar Fatima Al-Qadri