al-Ansab al-Muttafiqa
- Author died
- 507 AH
- Editions
- T Leiden
al-Ansab al-Muttafiqa (Arabic: الأنساب المتفقة في الخط المتماثلة في النقط والضبط, al-Ansāb al-Muttafiqa fī al-Khaṭṭ al-Mutamāthila fī al-Naqṭ wa-l-Ḍabṭ, lit. 'Homographic Patronymics Identical in Script, Dotting, and Vocalization') is an onomastic biographical dictionary by the hadith scholar and historian Abu al-Fadl Muhammad ibn Tahir al-Maqdisi, known as Ibn al-Qaysarani (448–507 AH / 1056–1113 CE) . The book clarifies relational surnames (nisbas) that are written and vocalized identically but designate different ancestries, places, professions, or origins .
Scope and Content
The work addresses a specialized branch of biographical evaluation (‘ilm al-rijāl) dealing with homographic nisbas where the Arabic spelling, diacritics, and vocalization are identical, creating potential confusion between unrelated figures . Under each shared designation, Ibn al-Qaysarani records the specific transmitters who bore the surname, tracing the distinct genealogical lineage, town, neighborhood, or trade associated with each individual . The book also supplies critical assessments of narrator reliability and records transmitted reports concerning them .
Supplements and Reception
The book served as an important reference for subsequent onomastic and biographical scholars, including Abu Sa'd al-Sam'ani in his genealogical dictionary al-Ansab, as well as later authorities such as Ibn Nuqtah and al-Dhahabi .
The work generated continuations and supplements:
- Abu Musa al-Madini composed an addendum entitled Ziyadat Abi Musa al-Madini ‘ala al-Ansab al-Muttafiqa (زيادات أبي موسى المديني على الأنساب المتفقة) .
- Ibn Nuqtah subsequently wrote a continuation building upon the works of both Ibn Tahir al-Maqdisi and Abu Musa al-Madini .
Editions
- Edited by the Dutch orientalist Pieter de Jong and published alongside Abu Musa al-Madini's supplement by Brill in Leiden in 1282 AH / 1865 CE .
- Edited by Kamal Yusuf al-Hut and published by Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya in Beirut in 1411 AH / 1991 CE .
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