''Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā (The Life of Animals)'' is a comprehensive

zoological Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...

encyclopedia written by

al-Damiri Al-Damiri (1341–1405), the common name of Kamal al-Din Muhammad ibn Musa al-Damiri (), was a Shafi'i Sunni scholar, jurist, traditionist, theologian, and expert in Arabic from late medieval Cairo. He was best known for his writing on Muslim j ...

. The book details the characteristics and stories of various

animal Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the Biology, biological Kingdom (biology), kingdom Animalia (). With few exceptions, animals heterotroph, consume organic material, Cellular respiration#Aerobic respiration, breathe oxygen, ...

s, weaving together scientific facts, folklore, and moral lessons.

Author

Al-Din Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Damiri (A.H. 745-808 / A.D. 1344-1405) was an eminent scholar known for his contributions to

zoology Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...

and

Islamic literature Islamic literature is literature written by Muslim people, influenced by an Islamic culture, Islamic cultural perspective, or literature that portrays Islam. It can be written in any language and portray any country or region. It includes many lite ...

. A notable manuscript of his work is dated 24th Jumādā II 852 / 25th August 1448 (MS Ar. 25, I).

Structure and content

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā is celebrated for its alphabetical arrangement and polythematic approach, making it a rich source of knowledge for both scientific and cultural insights. It covers not only the physical and behavioral traits of animals but also their symbolic significance, drawing from a variety of sources including ancient texts and contemporary accounts.

Influence and legacy

Al-Damiri's work is recognized for its impact on both Islamic and global

zoological studies ''Zoological Studies'' is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering zoology, with focuses on animal behavior, comparative physiology, evolution, ecology, systematics and biogeography. It is published by the Biodiversity Research Cente ...

. His method of integrating

scientific observation Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...

with literary and ethical perspectives has made this book a unique and enduring piece of literature.

Significance in Islamic culture

The book holds a special place in

Islamic culture Islamic cultures or Muslim cultures refers to the historic cultural practices that developed among the various peoples living in the Muslim world. These practices, while not always religious in nature, are generally influenced by aspects of Islam ...

for its holistic approach to animal life, reflecting the interconnectedness of all creatures as viewed in Islamic thought. It has been referenced in numerous subsequent works, underlining its importance in the canon of Islamic zoological literature.

Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá

''"Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá" (The Lesser Life of Animals)'' is another work by al-Damiri, which is a shorter version of this more comprehensive ''"Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-kubrā."'' While the larger work covers a wide range of animals in great detail, the ''"Ḥayāt al-ḥayawān al-ṣughrá"'' focuses on a more concise collection of animals and their characteristics.

References

{{Authority Control Zoological literature Islamic literature Encyclopedias in Arabic 14th-century books Arabic manuscripts