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Bookshops during the Medieval Islamic Civilization
by Meam Wye
Besides the numerous public libraries (as well as many private libraries), having thousands of books, there were also a large number of small and large bookshops spread across various regions of the medieval Islamic world. Baghdad, for example, prior to destructions by Mongols in 1258, had 36 libraries and over a hundred book-dealers. The ‘Koutoubia Mosque’ the largest mosque in Marrakech, Morocco got its name from Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin for librarian as the mosque was surrounded by booksellers.
After the establishment of first paper mill in Samarqand in 751, many more paper mills were established in the 8th century in Baghdad and other cities and thus paper books became common. A large number of books were being written and published. In al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) alone, 60,000 books were published each year.
One large bookshop and renowned during the medieval period was that owned by Al-Nadim and his father in the 10th century, Baghdad. His bookshop, built on an upper storey of large building, had thousands of books on a wide variety of subjects including philosophy, religion (not only limited to Islam but other religions as well), medicine, literature and others. Al-Nadim and his father had their own scribes for the coping of books. Their bookshop was popular among scholars who also had academic discussions while having refreshments there. Al-Nadim himself was a highly learned man having acquired education from famous scholars including Ibn-Isfahani. In 987, Al-nadim wrote kitab al-Fihrist (‘The Catalogue’ or ‘Book of the Index’) that was an attempt to list all titles of books known till his time.
These bookshops and the great libraries were the result of a great desire for the quest of knowledge and love of books. Quoting Ibn al-Arabi, the 12th century Muslim philosopher.
"A book is the only orchard, I have ever seen which can be put in one's sleeve and the only park which accompanies a man as he goes. The book is the tongue of the dead and the voice of the living. He is an evening visitor who never sleeps until you sleep and never utters a word except what pleases you, never reveals a secret or abuses a deposit."
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November 30, 2009 7:42 PM
Look at that...it just goes to shows how paper mills were the start of how libraries would be formed. Interesting though with today and the rise of the internet, libraries are becoming a resource of the past. It's a cycle...libraries made paper mills obsolete, now it seems the internet is doing the same to the libraries.
December 1, 2009 10:54 PM
My younger brother owns an old and rare bookshop in Seattle, WA (www.seattlebookcenter.com), & I know just where he'd be had he lived in the days that you write about in this post: in his bookshop every day of the week, kibitzing with his customers, cataloging books, wrapping packages for customers. and buying more books.
This article adds to the picture you are painting of this very rich period in history.
December 2, 2009 9:17 AM
I absolutely love libraries and always have. When my mother was going to graduate school, she would take me up to the University library with her and I loved the smell and the absolute stillness of the place. Years later, when I was a student, some of my best thinking was done in my own university library. Great piece!
Melinda
December 3, 2009 9:02 PM
I am a lover of libraries and often can be found during the week wandering through the tall shelves of one near my home. But I have to admit an addiction for bookstores. I often find my best times are spent in the company of books in the area bookshops. I truly enjoy wandering, reading and absorbing the joys that can be found in the pages of a book.
I love the quote at the end! Those images of books are so beautiful...and so true for me.
December 5, 2009 8:26 PM
Books were essential part in the life of scientists of Islamic civilization because Islam call people to think. Unfortunatley, radical people give today the wrong message in the 21st century!
December 6, 2009 8:32 PM
There is something so satisfying about being in a bookstore that it's not at all surprising they've been around for such a long time.
December 22, 2009 4:59 AM
Books, books, books.....I cannot imagine life without the pleasure derived from books!
P.S.-Brilliant quote by Ibn al-Arabi. He was (obviously) a very wise man.
January 4, 2010 7:27 AM
An interesting post and a wonderful quote. I wonder if he would think the same of the internet...to me it is like having a huge library at my fingertips. (Although there is no substitute for being surrounded by real live books in a shop or library)
February 1, 2011 7:06 AM
May I know what are your sources in writing this wonderful entry particularly with regards to Ibn 'Arabi quotation? Would love to read more about it :)