Al-Dihan, S 2003, Critical edition of Muhammad Al-Tayyib's manuscript 'Travel to Hijaz': annotated and authenticated , PhD thesis, University of Salford.

Archive (ZIP) - Submitted Version Download (20MB)

Abstract

Travel literature among Moroccan travellers has a long and celebrated history, producing a list of prominent and eminent scholars such as Ibn Jubayr (d. 614/1217), al-`Abdari (d. 688/1289), Ibn Battuta (d. 779/1377) and al- Ayyäshi (d. 1090/1679). Such scholars travelled for a variety of reasons including pilgrimage, umrah, visiting the Prophet's grave, seeking knowledge and occasionally in an ambassadorial role. In addition they also left a wealth of literature, prose and poetry celebrating such journeys. In this regard one of the outstanding scholars of this field was Muhammad b. Muhammad al-Tayyib b. Muhammad b. Müsä b. Muhammad al-Shargi al-$umayli, al-Fäsi al-Madani. Born in the city of Fez in 1110/1698. He studied with some of the most known scholars of Morocco at that time including, Abu al-Abbas Ahmad al- Misnäwi, Abü cAbdullah Muhammad al-Misnawi, Abü al= Abbäs AtImad at-Fas! and Abü Tähir Muhammad al-Küräni. Having acquired his early education in his home country he emigrated eastward to Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and finally to Medinah where he died in 1170 /1756 after living and teaching there for many years. It is not surprising then that this great scholar left behind him a treasure of works in a variety of fields; indeed we find that Ibn al-Tayyib wrote many works, including four in jurisprudence, three in liaddh and sixteen in grammar and in linguistics. Despite this however many of his academic contributions remain in manuscript form and therefore are inaccessible to the greater majority. One such work is "Rililah ilä al-Nj ", which is particularly important to the field of travel literature as it represents a major contribution. This is because Ibn al-Tayyib came relatively late, historically, compared to other travel writers. In addition, it contains many minute details, which the author took care to record during his journey from place to place. It also contains accounts of everything he saw and his comments regarding the social, economic and political conditions of the countries he visited, as well as comments about the scholars whom he was able to meet. This work is important also because it is considered the most important reference for the author's life, culture and is an important literary reference in terms of the poetry and prose, classical and modern, eastern and western, that it contains. In addition it accounts for both literary and religious scholars, the linguistic derivations of geographical names and draws attention to the mistakes of those who wrote about them before him. Bearing in mind the great significance of this work from a variety of aspects this thesis involves the complete revision, editing, annotation and authentication of the manuscript including the correction of missing characters and providing available information and biographical notes on the text.

Actions (login required)