Bensalem Himmich - The Polymath

Tashfin, Abu Zayyan, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz:the names of three Marini sultans, who ruled from 762–763/1360–61, 763–767/1361–65, and 767–774/1365–72 respectively.

Tilimsan (Tlemcen):a city now in Algeria, formerly an important center of power for the ‘ABD AL-WADI dynasty, now renowned for its schools of what is still termed ‘Andalusian’ music.

Umar ibn al-Khattab:the second caliph of Islam, who was murdered in 23/644.

al-Wadi al-Kabir:river in Spain now known by the Spanish name Guadalquivir, which is derived from the Arabic.

Yalbugha al-Nasiri:Viceroy of Damascus and army commander during SULTAN BARQUQ’S reign, he was one of two leaders (along with MINTASH) of a rebellion against the sultan (791–792/1389–90). Even though Yalbugha al-Nasiri joined MINTASH in recommending that SULTAN BARQUQ be executed, the sultan, once restored to power, forgave him and even reappointed him commander of the army that set out to fight MINTASH in Syria.

Zayn al-‘Abidin, Sayyida Nafisa, and Umm Kulthum:Zayn al-‘Abidin (d. 93/712) was the son of Muhammad’s grandson, al-Husayn; Sayyida Nafisa (d. 209/824) was a descendant of al-Hasan, also Muhammad’s grandson; Umm Kulthum was Muhammad’s daughter by his first wife, Khadijah, and was later married to ‘Uthman who later became Islam’s third caliph.

al-Zaytuna, al-Qarawiyin, al-‘Ubbad, al-Hamra’:the names of four famous architectural monuments within the Islamic domains: the Zaytuna mosque is in the old city of Tunis; the Qarawiyin mosque is the oldest university institution in the world, having been founded in Fez, Morocco, in the mid-ninth century; the al-‘Ubbad was a mosque-college in Tilimsan (Tlemcen) founded at the site of the tomb of the renowned Sufi divine, ABU MADYAN; and the al-Hamra’ (Alhambra) Palace in GRANADA was constructed as the palace of the Banu Ahmar and remains one of the glories of Islamic architecture.

zir :a cleansing ritual, frowned upon by orthodox religion, involving dancing, trance, and invocation of spirits.

Bibliography

Fischel, Walter J., Ibn Khaldun and Tamerlane , Berkeley: University of California Press, 1952.

_____, Ibn Khaldun in Egypt , Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967.

Harakat, Ibrahim, al-Maghrib ‘abr al-tarikh , vol. 2, Casablanca: Dar al-Rashad al-Hadithah, 1984.

“Ibn Khaldun,” Encyclopedia of Islam , 2nd ed.[CD-ROM version], Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1954–.

Above every knowledgable person is the All-Knowing. . (12:76)

And faces will be submissive to the Living, the Eternal; and whoever brings injustice will have failed. . (20:11)

And God knows the contents of men’s hearts. . (8:43)

As for the one who fears the station of His Lord and denies the soul its fancies, Paradise is the refuge. . (79:40–41)

Do not come to prayer in a state of drunkenness. . (4:43)

God will never oppress even a tiny atom. . (4:40)

He who created death and life so that he might test you as to who is the best in deeds. . (67:2)

It is only the Devil who has made me forget to remember it. . (18: 63)

Like a mirage in a depression which the thirsty man imagines to be water. . (24: 390)

Neither slumber nor sleep take him. . (2: 255)

Nothing will ever beset us unless God has prescribed it for us. . (9:51)

O ye who believe, obey God and those in authority among you. . (4:59)

Our Lord, You know that which we hide and that which we proclaim. . (14:38)

Pray to Me and I will answer you. . (40:60)

Prepare as much force and string of horse for them as you can. . (8:60)

Say, O people, act in accordance with your station. I am acting, and you will know. . (6:135)

Those who transgress the statutes of God, those are the wrong doers. . (2:229)

Verily those who store up gold and silver and do not spend them in the path of God, give them the glad tidings of a dire punishment. . (9:34)

When Your Lord announced: If you show thanks, We will indeed increase it for you. . (14:7)

Women are clothing for you, and you are clothing for them. . (2:187)