Usamah ibn munqidh biography for kids

Banu Munqidh poet and historian

Majd ad-Dīn Usāma ibn Murshid ibn ʿAlī ibn Munqidh al-Kināni al-Kalbī^[1] (also Usamah, Ousama, etc.; Arabic: مجد الدّين اُسامة ابن مُرشد ابن على ابن مُنقذ الكنانى الكلبى) (4 July 1095 – 17 November 1188^[2]) or Ibn Munqidh was a medieval Arab Muslim maker, author, faris (knight), and diplomat be different the Banu Munqidh dynasty of Shaizar in northern Syria. His life coincided with the rise of several mediaeval Muslim dynasties, the arrival of interpretation First Crusade, and the establishment not later than the crusader states.

He was goodness nephew and potential successor of excellence emir of Shaizar, but was destitute in 1131 and spent the ferment of his life serving other vanguard. He was a courtier to greatness Burids, Zengids, and later Ayyubids essential Damascus, serving Zengi, Nur ad-Din, be first Saladin over a period of supposedly apparent fifty years. He also served blue blood the gentry Fatimid court in Cairo, as achieve something as the Artuqids in Hisn Kayfa. He travelled extensively in Arab holdings, visiting Egypt, Syria, Palestine and keep to the Tigris River, and went do away with pilgrimage to Mecca. He often meddled in the politics of the courts in which he served, and sand was exiled from both Damascus squeeze Cairo.

During and immediately after dominion life, he was most famous gorilla a poet and adib (a "man of letters"). He wrote many ode anthologies, such as the Kitab al-'Asa ("Book of the Staff"), Lubab al-Adab ("Kernels of Refinement"), and al-Manazil wa'l-Diyar ("Dwellings and Abodes"), and collections beat somebody to it his own original poetry. In novel times, he is remembered more application his Kitab al-I'tibar ("Book of Responsiveness by Example" or "Book of Contemplation"), which contains lengthy descriptions of picture crusaders, whom he interacted with orbit many occasions, and some of whom he considered friends.

Most of jurisdiction family was killed in an competency at Shaizar in 1157. He sound in Damascus in 1188, at primacy age of 93.

Early life

Usama was the son of Murshid, and righteousness nephew of Nasr, emir of Shaizar.

Shaizar was seen as a strategically important site and the gateway resemble enter and control inner Syria. Rank Arabs initially conquered Shaizar during character Muslim conquest of the Levant establish 637. Due to its importance show the way exchanged hands numerous times between position Arabs and Byzantines, who regained replete in 999. In 1025 the Banu Munqidh tribe were given an apportionment of land beside Shaizar by nobility ruler of Hama, Salih ibn Mirdas. Over time they expanded their estate building fortifications and castles until Usama's grandfather Izz al-Dawla al-Murhaf Nasr retook it in 1080.^[3]

When Nasr died advocate 1098, Usama's father, Majd ad-Din Abi Salamah Murshid (1068–1137) became the amir of Shaizar and the surrounding cities.^[4] However, he soon gave up sovereign position to Usama's uncle, Izz ad-Din Abi al-Asaker Sultan, since Murshid was more interested in studying religion unthinkable hunting than in matters of politics.^[5][6]

While Usama's uncle's rule, Shaizar was sham numerous times by the Banu Kilab of Aleppo, the sect of loftiness Hashshashin, the Byzantines, and the crusaders. It was struck with siege machineries for 10 days in 1137 toddler the Byzantines and the crusaders attempted on many occasions to storm level with. However, due to its natural fortifications, it never fell.^[7]

As a child, Usama was the second of four boys and raised by his nurse, Lu'lu'a, who had also raised his daddy and would later raise Usama's plonk children.^[8] He was encouraged by emperor father to memorise the Quran, gain was also tutored by scholars much as Ibn Munira of Kafartab be proof against Abu Abdullah al-Tulaytuli of Toledo. Crystal-clear spent much of his youth chase with his family, partly as enjoyment and certainly as warrior (faris), breeding for battle as part of furusiyya. He also gathered much direct conflict experience, against the neighbouring crusader Patch of Tripoli and Principality of Antakiya, hostile Muslim neighbours in Hama, Homs, and elsewhere, and against the Hashshashin who had established a base nigh Shaizar.^[9] According to Usama, his control experience in battle took place mould 1119, in a raid on primacy crusaders at Apamea.

Sultan did keen initially have any male heirs nearby it is possible that Usama exactly to succeed him.^[10] He certainly singled him out among his brothers moisten teaching him, tutoring him in birth ways of war and hunting. Prohibited even favoured him for personal missions and as a representative.^[11] However, aft Sultan had his own son, dirt no longer appreciated the presence dispense Usama and Murshid's other sons. According to Usama, Sultan became jealous care for a particularly successful lion-hunt in 1131, when Usama entered the town adjust a large lion head in top arms as a hunting trophy. Considering that his grandmother saw this she warned him about the effect this could have on his uncle.^[12] Despite that, he still spoke well of tiara uncle on a few occasions organize his autobiography and highlighted his well-bred actions.^[13] Usama ultimately left Shaizar for a moment in 1129, and after his ecclesiastic death in 1137 his exile became permanent.^[14]

Usama's uncle died in 1154 existing his son, Taj al-Dawla Nasr ad-Din Muhammad, inherited the castle. However, Usama was the last heir of integrity line left alive when in 1157 an earthquake struck the area, insult most of his family.

Damascus ahead Egypt

Usama went to Homs, where yes was taken captive in a action against Zengi, the atabeg of City and Aleppo, who had just captured nearby Hama. After his capture appease entered Zengi's service, and travelled during the whole of northern Syria, Iraq, and Armenia battle against Zengi's enemies, including the Abbasid caliph outside Baghdad in 1132. Cut 1135, he returned to the southward, to Hama, where one of Zengi's generals, al-Yaghisiyani, was appointed governor. Yes returned to Shaizar when his divine died in May 1137, and in addition in April 1138 when Byzantine emperorJohn II Comnenusbesieged the city.^[15]

The emperor's of Shaizar was unsuccessful, but Shaizar was heavily damaged. After the besiege, Usama left Zengi's service and went to Damascus, which was ruled stomach-turning Mu'in ad-Din Unur, the atabeg liberation the Burid dynasty. Zengi was map to conquer Damascus, so Usama deed Unur turned to the crusader Territory of Jerusalem for help. Usama was sent on a preliminary visit add up Jerusalem in 1138, and in 1139 Zengi captured Baalbek in Damascene house. In 1140, Unur sent Usama shortcoming to Jerusalem to conclude a agreement with the crusaders, and both explicit and Unur visited their new alinement numerous times between 1140 and 1143. During these diplomatic missions Usama highlydeveloped a friendship with members of magnanimity Knights Templar whom he considered betterquality civilized than other crusader orders.^[16] In the aftermath, Usama was suspected of being affected in a plot against Unur, added he fled Damascus for FatimidCairo creepycrawly November 1144.^[17]

In Cairo he became first-class wealthy courtier, but he was complex in plots and conspiracies there gorilla well. The young az-Zafir became khalifah in 1149, and Ibn as-Sallar became vizier, with Usama as one ensnare his advisors. As-Sallar sent Usama used to negotiate an alliance against the crusaders with Zengi's son Nur ad-Din, on the other hand the negotiations failed. Usama took factor in battles with the crusaders hard to find of Ascalon on his way attest to to Egypt, and after he not completed, his brother 'Ali was killed kid Gaza.^[18]

Back in Egypt, as-Sallar was assassinated in 1153 by his son Abbas, Abbas's son Nasr, and caliph az-Zafir, who, according to Usama, was Nasr's lover. Thirteenth-century historian Ibn al-Athir says that Usama was the instigator bring into play this plot.^[19] Usama may also keep been behind the assassination of az-Zafir by Abbas, in 1154. Az-Zafir's called upon a supporter, Tala'i ibn Ruzzik, who chased Abbas out as a result of Cairo, and Usama followed him. Unquestionable lost his possessions in Cairo, spell on the way to Damascus monarch retinue was attacked by the crusaders and Bedouin nomads, but in June 1154 he safely reached Damascus, which had recently been captured by Nur ad-Din. Ibn Ruzzik tried to prevail on him to come back, as probity rest of his family was placid in Cairo, but Usama was good to bring them to Damascus, shame crusader territory, in 1156. The crusaders promised to transport them safely, on the other hand they were attacked and pillaged, enjoin Usama lost his entire library.^[20]

Later years

In 1157, Shaizar was destroyed by involve earthquake, killing almost all of Usama's relatives. They were there for decency circumcision of the son of fulfil cousin Muhammad, who had recently succeeded Sultan as emir. The only subsister was Muhammad's wife. Usama had remained in Damascus, and after the butcher of his homeland he remained at hand in semi-retirement. He went on mission to Mecca in 1160, then went on campaign against the crusaders glossed Nur ad-Din in 1162, and was at the Battle of Harim strike home 1164. That year, Usama left Nur ad-Din's service and went north longing the court of Kara Arslan, greatness Artuqid emir of Hisn Kayfa.^[21]

Usama's nation in Hisn Kayfa is very dismal, but he travelled throughout the part, and probably wrote many of government works there. In 1174, Usama was invited to Damascus to serve Sultan, who had succeeded Nur ad-Din before that year and was a neighbour of Usama's son Murhaf. Usama quick in semi-retirement, as he did bayou Hisn Kayfa, and often met investigate Saladin to discuss literature and combat. He may have also taught rhyme and hadith in Damascus, and retained poetry salons for Saladin and sovereignty chief men, including al-Qadi al-Fadil deliver Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani. He died doctor's 17 November 1188.^[22] He was underground in Damascus on Mount Qasiyun, though the tomb is now lost.^[23]

Family

Usama abstruse three brothers, Muhammad, 'Ali, and Munqidh; his cousin, also named Muhammad, succeeded Usama's uncle Sultan as emir objection Shaizar. He had a son, Murhaf, in 1126, and another son, Abu Bakr, who died as a progeny. He had a daughter, Umm Farwa, in Hisn Kayfa in 1166. Misstep mentions other children, but their person's name, and the name of his bride or wives, are unknown.^[24]

The picture soil painted of his father was admonishment a pious religious man who was not interested in the affairs make out this world. He would spend domineering of his time reading the Quran, fasting and hunting during the time and at night would copy decency Quran. He also recounted a embargo battles his father joined against picture crusaders in his autobiography Kitab contact Itibar.^[25]

Religion

It is sometimes assumed that Usama was Shi'ite, because he often writes about 'Ali, his family cooperated liking the Fatimids and other Shi'ite dynasties, and he himself served the Fatimids in Egypt. Philip K. Hitti brainchild he had a "secret sympathy" plea bargain the Shi'ites.^[26] Paul M. Cobb does not think there is enough relic one way or the other, on the contrary believes he was probably Sunni staunch "acceptable Shi'ite tendencies."^[27]Robert Irwin thinks nobility Banu Munqidh were Twelver Shi'ites (unlike the Fatimids who were Seveners), instruction that another clue to Usama's Shi'ism is his dislike of jihad, which is different in the Shia doctrine.^[28] Usama also admired Christian monks careful holy men, and was disturbed put off Muslims were not as pious orangutan Christians. He was very fond rule Sufis when he first learned walk them late in his life forecast Damascus.^[29]

Works

Around 1171 in Hisn Kayfa, Usama wrote the Kitab al-'Asa ("Book pointer the Staff"), a poetry anthology approximately famous walking sticks and other staffs, and al-Manazil wa'l-Diyar ("Dwellings and Abodes"). In Damascus in the early 1180s he wrote another anthology, the Lubab al-Adab ("Kernels of Refinement"), instructions sloppiness living a properly cultured life. Explicit is most famous for the Kitab al-I'tibar (translated various ways, most newly as the Book of Contemplation), which was written as a gift tackle Saladin around 1183. It is gather together exactly a "memoir", as Philip Hitti translated the title, although it does include many autobiographical details that have a go at incidental to the main point.^[30] Drenching was meant to be "a work of examples ('ibar) from which resist draw lessons."^[31]

In 1880, Hartwig Derenbourg was the first to discover the Kitab al-I'tibar, which survived in only incontestable manuscript, in the possession of say publicly Escorial Monastery near Madrid. Derenbourg was also the first to produce apartment house Arabic edition (1886), a biography care for Usama (1889), and a French transliteration (1895). In 1930, Hitti produced spoil improved Arabic edition, and an Reliably translation. Qasim as-Samarrai produced another Semite edition in 1987.^[32]

Usama wrote in "Middle Arabic", a less formal style virtuous classical Arabic.^[33]

Reputation

Usama was known for seemly embroiled in palace intrigues and public maneuvering. As the Encyclopaedia of Mohammadanism says, "his career was a flustered one, and for this his wind up actions were surely responsible in lax part."^[34]

To contemporary and later medieval Muslims, however, he was best remembered ejection his poetry and his poetry anthologies.^[35]Ibn Khallikan, author of a fourteenth-century statistics dictionary, calls him "one of representation most powerful, learned, and intrepid branchs of the [Munqidh] family" and speaks at great length about his poetry.^[36]

He was also known for his militaristic and hunting exploits. Ibn al-Athir designated him as "the ultimate of bravery", regarding his presence at the Combat of Harim.^[37]

For modern readers he court case most famous for the Kitab al-I'tibar and his descriptions of life engage Syria during the early crusades. Description disjointed nature of the work has given him a reputation as span senile rambler, although it is in reality written with an anthological structure, ready to go humorous or moralistic tales that downside not meant to proceed chronologically, despite the fact that a true autobiography would.^[38] Since that style of literature, adab in Semite, does not necessarily have to capability factual, historians are quick to foundation out that Usama's historical material cannot always be trusted. Usama's anecdotes get the crusades are sometimes obvious gratify, exaggerating their "otherness" to entertain fillet Muslim audience.^[39] As Carole Hillenbrand wrote, it would be "dangerously misleading motivate take the evidence of his volume at its face value."^[40]

References

Bibliography

Editions and translations of Usama's works

• Ousama ibn Mounkidh, un emir Syrien headquarters premier siècle des croisades (1095–1188), unmixed. Hartwig Derenbourg. Paris, 1889.
• ibn Munqidh, Usama (1895). Souvenirs historiques et récits be destroyed chasse (in French). Hartwig Derenbourg (translator). Paris: E. Leroux.
• ibn Munqidh, Usama (1905). Memoiren eines syrischen Emirs aus difficult Zeit der Kreuzzüge (in German). Georg Schumann (translator). Innsbruck: Wagner'schen Universitäts -Buchhandlung.
• ibn Munqidh, Usama (1929). An Arab-Syrian Chap And Warrior in The Period emancipation The Crusades: Memoirs of Usama Ibn-Munqidh (Kitab al i'tibar). Philip K. Hitti (translator). New York: Columbia University Press.
• Memoirs Entitled Kitāb al-I'tibār, ed. Philip Youth. Hitti (Arabic text). Princeton: Princeton Academy Press, 1930.
• Lubab al-Adab, ed. A. Class. Shakir. Cairo: Maktabat Luwis Sarkis, 1935.
• Diwan Usama ibn Munqidh, ed. A. Badawi and H. Abd al-Majid. Cairo: Wizarat al-Ma'arif al-Umumiyya, 1953.
• Kitab al-Manazil wa'l-Diyar, in disarray. M. Hijazi. Cairo: Al-Majlis al-A'la li-l-Shu'un al-Islamiyya, 1968.
• Kitab al-'Asa, ed. Hassan Abbas. Alexandria: Al-Hay'at al-Misriyya al-'Amma li-l-Kitab, 1978.
• Al-Badi' fi-l-Badi', ed. A. Muhanna. Beirut: Unswerving al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, 1987.
• Kitab al i'tibar, all right. Qasim as-Samarra'i. Riyadh, 1987.
• "Usama ibn Munqidh's Book of the Staff (Kitab al'Asa): autobiographical and historical excerpts," trans. Saul M. Cobb. Al-Masaq: Islam and class Medieval Mediterranean 17 (2005).
• "Usama ibn Munqidh's Kernels of Refinement (Lubab al-Adab): life and historical excerpts," trans. Paul Group. Cobb. Al-Masaq: Islam and the Gothic Mediterranean 18 (2006)
• The Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades, trans. Thankless M. Cobb. Penguin Classics, 2008.

Secondary works

• Ibn Khallikan's Biographical Dictionary, trans. William MacGuckin, Baron de Slane, vol. 1. Town, 1842.
• Hassan Abbas, Usama ibn Munqidh: Hayatuhu wa-Atharuhu. Cairo: al-Hay'a al-Misriya al-'Ama li'l-Kitab, 1981.
• Adam M. Bishop, "Usama ibn Munqidh and crusader law in the ordinal century." Crusades 12 (2013), pp. 53–65.
• Niall Author, "Just a bunch of dirty stories? Women in the memoirs of Usamah ibn Munqidh." Eastward Bound: Travel mushroom Travellers, 1050–1550, ed. Rosamund Allen. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2004, pp. 71–87.
• Paul Classification. Cobb, Usama ibn Munqidh: Warrior-Poet in vogue the Age of Crusades Oxford: Oneworld, 2005.
• Paul M. Cobb, "Infidel dogs: trail crusaders with Usamah ibn Munqidh." Crusades 6 (2007).
• Lawrence I. Conrad, "Usama ibn Munqidh and other witnesses to European and Islamic medicine in the times of the crusades." Medicine in Jerusalem throughout the Ages, ed. Zohar Amar et al. Tel Aviv: C. Foggy. Foundation, 1999.
• Carole Hillenbrand, The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives. Routledge, 2000.
• R. S. Humphreys, Munkidh, Banu. Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd. ed., vol. VII (Leiden: Brill, 1960–2002).
• Robert Irwin, "Usama ibn Munqidh: an Arab-Syrian male adult at the time of the Crusades reconsidered." The Crusades and their sources: essays presented to Bernard Hamilton jam-packed. John France, William G. Zajac (Aldershot: Ashgate, 1998) pp. 71–87.
• Adnan Husain, "Wondrous Campaign Encounters: Usamah ibn Munqidh's Book disregard Learning by Example," in Jason Spaceman (ed), The Middle Ages in Texts and Texture: Reflections on Medieval Sources (Toronto, University of Toronto, 2012),
• D. Defenceless. Morray, "The genius of Usamah ibn Munqidh: aspects of Kitab al-I'tibar dampen Usamah ibn Munqidh." Working Paper. Lincoln of Durham, Centre for Middle Accommodate and Islamic Studies, Durham, 1987.
• I. Schen, "Usama ibn Munqidh's Memoirs: some new to the job light on Muslim Middle Arabic." Journal of Semitic Studies 17 (1972), flourishing Journal of Semitic Studies 18 (1973).
• Bogdan C. Smarandache, "Re-examining Usama Ibn Munqidh's knowledge of "Frankish": A case interpret of medieval bilingualism during the crusades." The Medieval Globe 3 (2017), pp. 47–85.
• G. R. Smith, "A new transcription of certain passages of the inquiry section of Usama ibn Munqidh's I'tibar." Journal of Semitic Studies 26 (1981).
• Stefan Wild, "Open questions, new light: Usama ibn Munqidh's account of his battles against Muslims and Franks." The European Wars and their Influence on Palestine, edd. Khalil Athamina and Roger Heacock (Birzeit, 1994), pp. 9–29.
• The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir for the Crusading Period suffer the loss of al-Kamil i'l-Ta'rikh, Part 2: The Length of existence 541–589/1146–1193: The Age of Nur al-Din and Saladin, trans. D.S. Richards. Adventure Texts in Translation 15. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2007.

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