A'mar al-A'yan

A'mar al-A'yan (The Lifespans of Eminent Figures) is a biographical treatise by the Baghdad-born Hanbali scholar Abu al-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzi (c. 510–597 AH / 1116–1201 CE), arranged according to the lifespan and age at death of notable figures across history Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1.

Purpose and Composition

Ibn al-Jawzi composed the work late in his life, and it was read before him around 585 AH when he was about seventy-five years old A'mar al-A'yan. In the introduction, he explains the spiritual and practical utility of contemplating the lifespans of notable figures al-Jami li Ulum al-Imam A…+1. He notes that observing eminent individuals who died young provides three lessons: gratitude to God for extending one's life, vigilance in preparing provision for the hereafter out of fear of sudden death, and solace when confronting one's own mortality A'mar al-A'yan. Conversely, learning of long-lived figures strengthens one's hope and vitality to persevere without despairing of reaching advanced years A'mar al-A'yan.

Structure and Scope

The biographical material is organized into decadal cohorts ('uqud) according to age at death, spanning historical figures without being restricted to the Muslim community al-Jami li Ulum al-Imam A…+1. The work encompasses prophets, scholars, ascetics, poets, and other eminent figures al-Jami li Ulum al-Imam A…:

• It opens with those who died in the decade of ten and above, highlighting precocious youths and children of eminent scholars al-Ajwiba al-Mardiyya fim…+1.
• It proceeds through subsequent decades—the twenties, thirties, and so forth—placing Ahmad ibn Hanbal, for example, under the decade of the seventies al-Jami li Ulum al-Imam A….
• It continues through centenarians and ancient long-lived figures (al-mu'ammarun), concluding with the cohort of three thousand years and above, which closes with the ancient figure 'Uj ibn Shihan al-Jami li Ulum al-Imam A…+1.

Reception and Transmission

The book is recorded among Ibn al-Jawzi's historical works by bibliographers such as Hajji Khalifa in Kashf al-Zunun Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1. It was cited by subsequent scholars, including Ibn Khallikan in Wafayat al-A'yan, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, al-Sakhawi, and al-Ibshihi al-Ajwiba al-Mardiyya fim…+2. Ibn Nasir al-Din al-Dimashqi drew upon an authenticated manuscript that had been read to Ibn al-Jawzi and bore the author's own handwriting A'mar al-A'yan.

Manuscript and Publication

A primary surviving manuscript of the text, scribed by Muhammad ibn 'Umar ibn Abi Bakr al-Maqdisi in Rajab 592 AH, features an audition note signed by Ibn al-Jawzi A'mar al-A'yan+1. The text was edited by Dr. Mahmud Muhammad al-Tanahi and published in Cairo by Maktabat al-Khanji in 1414 AH / 1994 CE Diwan al-Sunna - Qism al-…+1.