Yasin al-Khatib
- Died
- 1233 AH
- Born in
- Mosul
Yasin al-Khatib (1157 – after 1232 AH / 1744 – after 1817 CE) was a Hanafi historian, man of letters, and poet from Mosul, best known for his biographical and historical works such as al-Rawda al-Fayha fi Alam al-Nisa.
Life and scholarship
Yasin ibn Khayr Allah ibn Mahmud ibn Musa al-Khatib al-Umari was born in Mosul into the prominent al-Umari family, claiming descent from the second caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. His brother, Muhammad Amin ibn Khayr Allah al-Umari (d. 1206 AH, or 1203 AH), was likewise a scholar and author who taught at the al-Madrasa al-Umariyya.
Al-Khatib was active across history, literature, and poetry in Mosul. He compiled his historical and biographical treatises from his broad readings, presenting copies to rulers, scholars, and notables in exchange for financial patronage. His biographical dictionary al-Rawda al-fayha fi tawarikh al-nisa ("The Fragrant Meadow on the Histories of Women") was completed on the first of Dhu al-Qi'da 1204 AH (1790 CE). He also composed annalistic histories, including al-Durr al-maknun fi ma'athir al-madi min al-qurun ("The Hidden Pearl on the Exploits of Past Centuries"), which chronicled Islamic history from the Hijra down to his own time, and the local history Munyat al-udaba fi tarikh al-Mawsil al-hadba ("The Wish of Literati on the History of Humpbacked Mosul").
Death
Al-Khatib died in Mosul after 1232 AH (1817 CE). A conflicting report by Isma'il Pasha al-Baghdadi dates his death earlier, to the year 1224 AH.
Answer updated
List of Works
Al-Rawda al-Fayha fi A‘lam al-Nisa is a biographical work on prominent historical women, combining biographical sketches with historical narratives, poetry, prose passages, and literary benefits. Completed in 1204 AH, it covers pious women, queens and other notable figures celebrated outside religious asceticism, and witty women noted for their intelligence and repartee.