Kitāb al-Ḥayawān
work by al-Jāḥiẓ
Quick Summary
The Kitāb al-Hayawān ("Book of Animals") is an unfinished, seven-volume work by the Islamic scholar al-Jāḥiẓ. It is a bestiary that draws on the works of Aristotle and serves as an anthology of Arabic literature with animal themes. The book incorporates theological, sociological, and linguistic discussions. Al-Jāḥiẓ, known for his masterful Arabic prose, was an intellectual and litterateur of the 9th century. His works, including Kitāb al-Hayawān, provide a comprehensive education in the humanities of his time.1
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
