al-Fath ibn Khaqan

Abu Nasr al-Fath ibn Khaqan (480–528 AH / 1087–1134 CE) was an Andalusian litterateur and anthologist, best known for his biographical anthology Qala'id al-Iqyan (The Necklaces of Pure Gold) Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1.

Origin and Character

His full lineage is Abu Nasr al-Fath ibn Muhammad ibn Ubayd Allah (also recorded as ibn Abd Allah) ibn Khaqan al-Qaysi al-Ishbili Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1. His family originated from the village of Qaryat al-Wadi (or Qal'at al-Wadi) within the district of Qal'at Yahsub in Elvira, though he was counted among the natives of Seville Hadiyat al-Arifin Asma al…+1. Al-Hijari and Abu al-Hajjaj al-Bayyasi noted that the appellation "Ibn Khaqan" was a nickname given to him because of his conduct, rather than Khaqan being the actual name of his grandfather Jamharat Maqalat wa Rasai….

Biographers described him as sharp-witted and eloquent, but also playful, sharp-tongued, and prone to dissolute behavior Manahij al-Talif Inda al-…+1. He led an unsettled, peripatetic life, moving frequently across Islamic Spain and North Africa Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1.

Literary Activity and Controversies

Al-Fath established his reputation as one of the prominent anthologists of Andalusian poetry and prose Manahij al-Talif Inda al-…. When compiling Qala'id al-Iqyan, which he dedicated to the Almoravid prince Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Yusuf ibn Tashfin, he wrote to Andalusian rulers, ministers, and scholars, soliciting samples of their prose and verse alongside financial gifts Majallat al-Risala+1. Contemporaries feared his satire; those who rewarded him were praised in the work, while those who ignored him faced harsh censure Majallat al-Risala+1. When the philosopher and vizier Ibn Bajja disregarded his solicitation, al-Fath included him at the end of the collection with severe invective, accusing him of irreligion Jamharat Maqalat wa Rasai…+1.

Another controversy occurred when al-Fath entered the court of Qadi Iyad while intoxicated. After the offense was confirmed, the judge had the legal penalty (hadd) administered to him. Al-Fath initially resolved to omit Qadi Iyad from Qala'id al-Iqyan in retaliation, but an associate persuaded him that doing so would permanently record his grudge, prompting him to retain the entry Jamharat Maqalat wa Rasai…. In addition to Qala'id al-Iqyan, he composed Matmah al-Anfus (The Aspiration of Souls), another prominent anthology of Andalusian literary figures and anecdotes Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1.

Death

Al-Fath ibn Khaqan was murdered in Marrakesh in a hostel (funduq or khan) Manahij al-Talif Inda al-…+1. His death occurred on the night of Eid al-Fitr, or reportedly on 22 Muharram, in 528 AH (1134 CE); other reports place his death in 529 AH or 535 AH Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1. He was found with his throat cut, and reports state that his killing was ordered or instigated by the Almoravid ruler Ali ibn Yusuf ibn Tashfin Siyar Aalam al-Nubala+1. His body was discovered three nights later, and he was buried at Bab al-Dabbaghin in Marrakesh Jamharat Maqalat wa Rasai….