Ithaf al-Wara bi-Akhbar Umm al-Qura
- Author died
- 885 AH
- Editions
- Markaz al-Baḥth al-'Ilmī wa-Iḥyā' al-Turāth al-Islāmī - Jāmi'at Umm al-Qurá
Ithaf al-Wara bi-Akhbar Umm al-Qura (Bestowing upon Mankind the Annals of the Mother of Cities) is an extensive annalistic history of Mecca composed by the Meccan historian and scholar al-Najm Ibn Fahd al-Makki (812–885 AH / 1409–1480 CE) .
Composition and Purpose
In his introduction, Ibn Fahd noted that his teacher, the Meccan historian and judge Taqi al-Din al-Fasi (d. 832 AH), had produced fundamental works on Mecca, notably Shifa al-Gharam bi-Akhbar al-Balad al-Haram and the biographical dictionary al-Iqd al-Thamin fi Tarikh al-Balad al-Amin . These writings contained numerous historical reports concerning Mecca during both the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyya) and the Islamic era . Ibn Fahd set out to assemble these scattered events into a strictly chronological format arranged by year, beginning with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . He also supplemented al-Fasi's material with additional events and recorded the annual obituaries of prominent figures who died in Mecca—both residents and visitors—along with Meccans who died abroad .
Scope and Structure
The book is structured as a year-by-year chronicle (annals), detailing the political, social, architectural, and religious history of Mecca . It includes extensive records of the rulers and Sharifs of Mecca, such as the Banu Hasan dynasty established by Qatada ibn Idris in 597 AH, as well as appointments of officials, Hajj caravans and pilgrimage leaders, architectural renovations around the Kaaba and al-Masjid al-Haram, natural disasters, epidemics, and price fluctuations . The chronicle concludes in Ramadan 885 AH, the month and year of Ibn Fahd's death .
Continuations
Ibn Fahd's descendants continued his chronological recording of Meccan history through two successive supplements (dhayl):
- Bulugh al-Qura bi-Dhayl Ithaf al-Wara, written by his son al-Izz Ibn Fahd (d. 922 AH), which begins from Ramadan 885 AH and continues as a detailed chronicle up to early 922 AH, shortly before his death .
- Nayl al-Muna bi-Dhayl Bulugh al-Qura li-Takmilat Ithaf al-Wara, authored by his grandson Jar Allah Ibn Fahd (d. 954 AH), which resumes coverage from Dhu al-Hijjah 923 AH and extends into the mid-tenth century AH .
Publication
The work was published in five volumes by the Center for Scientific Research and Islamic Heritage Revival at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca . The first three volumes were edited by Fahim Muhammad Shaltut, the fourth volume by 'Abd al-Karim 'Ali Baz, and the fifth volume—containing comprehensive indices—was prepared by Sadiq al-Bayli and Muhammad Isma'il al-Sayyid .
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