al-Ghazuli
- Died
- 815 AH
- Born in
- -
Ali ibn Abd Allah al-Ghazuli (d. 815 AH / 1412 CE) was a Damascus-based man of letters, anthologist, and poet, best known for his literary compendium Matali' al-Budur fi Manazil al-Surur .
Life and education
'Ala' al-Din 'Ali ibn 'Abd Allah al-Baha'i al-Dimashqi al-Ghazuli was of Turkish origin and entered the Mamluk system, having been acquired by a master named or titled Baha' al-Din, from whom he received his attribution al-Baha'i . Showing early intellectual aptitude, he developed an interest in literature and studied closely under al-'Izz al-Mawsili, graduating under his mentorship . He also studied under and received material from scholars including Ibn Khatib Dariyya, Ibn Makanis, and Badr al-Din al-Dammamini . Though based in Damascus, he visited Cairo on multiple occasions .
Literary activity and standing
Al-Ghazuli was noted for his refined literary taste and warm affection for his associates . He practiced poetic composition, persevering through early difficulties until his verse reached maturity . He interacted with prominent contemporaries such as Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, who recorded hearing some of al-Ghazuli's poetry, noted that al-Ghazuli transcribed extensive material from him, and mentioned composing verses at al-Ghazuli's suggestion . He was also documented by Taqi al-Din al-Maqrizi in his biographical dictionary Durar al-'Uqud al-Farida .
Al-Ghazuli compiled Matali' al-Budur fi Manazil al-Surur (The Risings of the Full Moons in the Mansions of Joy), an adab anthology divided into fifty chapters dedicated to domestic spaces, convivial gatherings, furnishings, utensils, and the eloquent poetry and prose composed about them .
He was also engaged in literary rivalries; the poet Abu Bakr al-Munajjim mocked him in a vernacular poem (zajal) and parodied a formal panegyric al-Ghazuli had written in honor of Badr Muhammad ibn al-Shihab Mahmud, leading al-Ghazuli to retaliate with several satirical epigrams .
Death
Al-Ghazuli died in Damascus in 815 AH (1412 CE), having lived a relatively short life .
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List of Works
Matali al-Budur wa Manazil al-Surur (The Risings of the Full Moons in the Mansions of Joy) is an Arabic adab (belles-lettres) compendium that gathers prose anecdotes, poetic selections, and descriptions focused on convivial life, domestic spaces, and household aesthetics. Designed as an anthology for literary circles and cultivated companions, it organizes its material around the domestic sphere, social gatherings, household utensils, pastimes, and the delights of urban social life across fifty thematic chapters.