Al-Yaqubi: Historian, Traveler, and Geographer

 

Sources:zvab.com.

Today, we will discuss about Al-Yaqubi, Egypt Historian who became one early Islamic Historian, Traveler, and Geographer. He is one Historian who also traveled at many territories for search informations. His contribution at Islamic Historiography, make him became one first Historian who mastered Islamic Historiography and also geography, with datas that collected by traveling to many states. And, his book mentioned as oldest book at geographical history  . Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. It is easy step for you, but have big role for develop our blog that focuss at Islamic History and Civilizations.

His original name is Ahmad ibn Yaqub ibn Wadhih and popular with name Al-Yaqubi. He born at Anatolia ( now part from Turkey at Asia).   Not knowed when he born. But, knowed that his grandfather is slave from Abbasid Caliph, Abu Jafar al-Manshour .  He die at Egypt at 897 AD. He lived at Baghdad at era of Abbasid Caliph,Al-Mutamid ( ruled 870-892 AD). Yaqubi popular as traveler. He doing travel to Armenia, Central Asia, Iran, India, Egypt, Hijaz, and North Africa. Until 873 AD, Yaqubi ever stay at Iran, when Iran ruled by Tahirid Dynasty. When traveling, he collect many informations about history and geography.

After ruin of Tahirid Dynasty, he traveld to India, North Africa, and Egypt. At Egypt, at 891 AD, he write one dictionary that discuss about geographical situation at Islamic Territories. The title is Kitab al-Buldan/Mujam a-Buldan ( book of the lands). At his book, he write all informations about several lands that ever he visit. At first volume, he write about City of Baghdad, capital from Abbasid Caliphate, and also City Of Samara ( North Baghdad). And, he also write about situation from Iran, Syria, Egypt, Nubia/North Sudan , North Africa,  and other.  This encyclopedia, consist of 33.180 pages.

His work at history  that quoted by Badri Yatim, is Tarikh Al-Yaqubi that consist of two volumes. First volume discuss about ancient world history, such as story of propeths at Abrahamic Faith Religions, from Propeth Adam Alaihissalam to Propeth Isa Alaihissalam. He also quoted many stories from Christiant Literatures. He also write about ancient kingdoms s history such as Kingdom of Babylon, Abbisinia, Greeks, Romans Empire, Persians, Armenia, Arabian Kingdoms at Yemen and Syria. When write about one kingdom, he also give explained about climate, geographics, relugion, and traditions.

Second volume, discuss about Islamic History from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam until age of Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutamid ( ruled 870-892 AD). He doesnt follow Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Traditions from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam) s scholars method for write history, but mentioned sources of citation.  Yaqubi also critics with informations that he received. At Aleppo, Syria, he make relations with one historians community at this city.

And, other Tarikh al-Yaqubi and Kitab al Buldan, he also write book that titled Musykalaat al-Nas li Zamanihim that discuss how society imitated their leaders at Umayyad and Abbasid Dynasty Era. At 897 AD, Al-Yaqubi die at Egypt after leave big legacy at Islamic Historiography, specially at historiography by geographical style, such as he written at his books . May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.

Refrences:

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Yatim, Badri: Historiografi Islam,  Penerbit Logos Wacana Ilmu, 1997 M.

Redaksi: Al-Ya'qubi, Penulis Ilmu Geografi | Barisan.co, accesed 31 October 2025, 08: 54 AM.

The Editors Of Encyclopaedia Britannica: Al-Yaʿqūbī | Middle East, Geography, Biography | Britannica, accesed 31 October 2025, 08: 55.