Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab

work compiled by al-Nuwayrī

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July 1, 2026

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The Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab (meaning "The Aim of the Intelligent in the Art of Letters") is an encyclopedic work compiled by the Egyptian historian and civil servant al-Nuwayrī (1272–1332). This extensive compilation, spanning nearly 9,000 pages, covers a broad range of subjects.1

The work is organized into five main sections:
* Geography, astronomy, meteorology, chronology, and geology
* Humanity, including anatomy, folklore, conduct, and politics
* Zoology
* Botany
* History1

Al-Nuwayrī's encyclopaedia is considered one of the most significant works of the Mamlūk period.1

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…of the Mamlūk period, the Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab (“The Aim of the Intelligent in the Art of Letters”), a work of almost 9,000 pages. It comprised: (1) geography, astronomy, meteorology, chronology, geology; (2) man (anatomy, folklore, conduct, politics); (3) zoology; (4) botany; (5) history. A complete edition was…
Read More
…of the Mamlūk period, the Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab (“The Aim of the Intelligent in the Art of Letters”), a work of almost 9,000 pages. It comprised: (1) geography, astronomy, meteorology, chronology, geology; (2) man (anatomy, folklore, conduct, politics); (3) zoology; (4) botany; (5) history. A complete edition was…
Read More