al-Sahari
- Died
- 511 AH
- Born in
- -
Salama ibn Muslim al-Sahari (d. 511 AH / 1117–1118 CE; another source dates his death to the fifth century AH) was an Omani Ibadhi genealogist, historian, and lexicographer best known for his genealogical compendium Kitab al-Ansab (The Book of Genealogies).
Biography and Affiliation
Salama ibn Muslim al-Awtabi al-Sahari belonged to Oman, bearing the geographical designations al-Awtabi—derived from Awtab in Sohar—and al-Sahari. In creed and legal tradition, he was an adherent of the Ibadhi school.
Scholarly Contribution and Reception
Al-Sahari is regarded among the early genealogical and historical authorities of southeastern Arabia. His major work, Kitab al-Ansab (also known as Ansab al-Arab), documents broad Arab tribal lineages, early historical accounts, and Omani regional events such as the battle of al-Rawdah near Tanuf. Later Omani historians, including Salim ibn Hammud al-Siyabi, drew upon his historical writings while observing that his genealogical survey of Omani tribes was foundational rather than exhaustive. In lexicography, he authored al-Ibana fi al-Lugha al-Arabiya (The Clarification in the Arabic Language), a dictionary explaining linguistic fundamentals and commonly used expressions.
Death
Al-Sahari died in 511 AH (1117–1118 CE), though biographical entries in genealogical compendia also report his death broadly within the fifth century AH.
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Ansab is a classical genealogical and historical treatise that documents Arab tribal genealogies, legendary histories, and tribal lineages, with notable attention to early historical narratives and Arabian tribes.
al-Ibana fi al-Lugha al-Arabiya is an Arabic dictionary and linguistic work that addresses the fundamentals of the Arabic language and explains everyday expressions used in speech whose precise definitions and nuances might be misunderstood.