Today, we will discuss about al-Masudi,
one Middle Age Islamic Historian who also became traveler. He has one big work that became history
encyclopedy at this age. Ok, please read this article until end for get
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Al-Masudi, has full name Abu Hassan Ali
Ibn Hussain Ibn Ali. According Badri Yatim, he born at Baghdad, Iraq at end of
9 TH Century. Fix year not yet know and he is one Historian at Baghdad who
originated from Maghrib ( North Africa).
He finish his fist education with his father, Hussain. After his first
education, he travelled to many territories. At 917 AD, he visited Iran and
Kirman. He stopped at Usthukar and next his adventure with several traders to
Ceylon, Sea Of Cina, India, and Near East. He also visit Oman, East Africa,
Sudan, and Madagaskar. He also visit Syria, Palestine, and Antioch. He write
many works.
When visited other territories, Masudi
tried to deep into history, traditions,
and how civilians at this territories. He also studied about many religions,
such as Christian, Judaism, and studied about western world tradition. According Historian Badri Yatim, when write
his work, al-Masudi always rever to primary sources.
He write several book,s from them : Tarikh
fi Akhbar al-Umam min al-Arab wa al-Ajam ( history nations of Arabians and
Persians) and also Akhbar al-Zaman wa Man Abdahu al-Haditsan min al-Umam
al-Madhiyah wa al Ajyal al Haliyah wa al-Mamalik al-Dairah ( History of
previous peoples, their nations, and their kingdoms). According Badri Yatim,
this books achieve 30 volumes. But, his monumental book is Muruj al Dhahab wa al-Maadin
al-Jauhar ( Meadows Of Gold and Mines Of Gems). This book, is record
geographical principes. Unfortunately, many books from al-Masudi cannot
accessed, only Muruj ad -Dhahab wa Maadin al-Jauhar.
His books, became refrences for other
Muslim Historians for studied about natural history, geography, and sciences. His monumental masterpiece,Muruj al-Dhahab
, is big encyclopedy of history and geography.
First part tell us about creation of universe and human, story from
several propeths and ancient peoples, ancient relgions and oher. Second part
about Islamic History from end age of
Rashidun Caliphate until the beginning
of Abbasid Dynasty at era of Caliph al-Muthi. He many cited historians before
him. Because this, he cited many mithology, tales, and also several story from
Judaism History ( Israiliyyat). When discuss about history of Abbasid
Empire, he discuss about story of Abbasid s societies. He discuss history at his book with thematic
methodology. Such as themes about kings, dynasties, and other.
Al-Masudi, is adherent from School Of Muttazila,
one Islamic Theological School who many used logica at his mind. Al-Masudi s
historiographical method, many criticize with Tunisian Muslim Scholar, Ibn
Khaldun, at his monumental book, Mukaddimah.
At his book, Ibn Khaldun criticize that
Masudi s work that many quoted from
folklores and tales. At his several works, such as quoted by Ibn Khaldun, al-Masudi
tell several tales, such as one bronze city that mysterious at Dessert Of
Sijjilmasa, Morocco. who tried to
entered at this cities will lose. But, according Ibn Khaldun, this stories
never tell by travelers who visited Desert Of Sijjilmasa.
Al-Masudi die agt Fustat, Egypt at 656 AD.
But, his masterpiece, Muruj ad-Dhahab was translatted to French by P. de
Cortuille became 9 volumes at Paris beetwen 1861-1877 AD, and to English by
A.Sprenger at London, 1841 AD. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.
Refrences:
Nasution, Harun: Teologi Islam: Aliran aliran Sejarah Analisa Perbandingan,
UI Press, 1978 M.
Yatim, Badri: Historiografi Islam, Penerbit Logos Wacana Ilmu, 1997 M.
Khaldun, Ibnu: Mukaddimah: Karya
Fenomenal Cendekiawan Muslim Abad Pertengahan, Pustaka al-Kautsar, 2023 M.
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