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Mustansiriyya Madrasa
Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa (Arabic: المدرسة المستنصرية) was a medieval-era scholarly complex in Baghdad, Iraq, that provided a universal system of higher education. It was established in 1227 CE and was named after and built by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir in Baghdad, Iraq. The Madrasa taught many different subjects, including medicine, math, literature, grammar, philosophy, and Islamic religious studies. However, the major focus of education was Islamic law. It became the most prominent and high-ranking center for Islamic studies in all of Baghdad.
The architecture of the madrasa was also an important example of Islamic architectural development in Baghdad. The Madrasa has experienced several periods of decline and reemergence throughout its history. The most significant degradation to the Madrasa's architecture and position within Baghdad was the 1258 Mongol Siege of Baghdad. Today, the complex is in a state of restoration as is it being overseen by the Directorate of Antiquities in Iraq. It is currently a part of al-Mustansiriyya University, and is located on the left bank of the Tigris River.
Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa remains one of the only surviving and authentic landmarks of Abbasid Baghdad. It is officially listed as a part of a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list as an important example of historical Baghdad.
Madrasas during the Abbasid period were used as the predominant instrument to foster the spread of Islamic and scientific thought as well as a way to extend the founder's pious ideals.
This madrasa was established by Caliph al-Mustansir and its cost amounted to 700 thousand dinars, and it was opened for study on the 6th of April, 1233, and a large celebration and feast was held in its opening. It was the first Islamic university in which the study of jurisprudence based on the four schools of thought; Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali and all were combined into “one school.” This inspired al-Salihiyya Madrasa in Cairo which was established almost a decade after the Baghdadi madrasa and also taught and mixed four schools of thought into one. In addition to theological schools of thought, it also had several other disciplines such as mathematics, algebra, and philosophy. The scholarly university provided students from all over Iraq with academic education, lodgings, clothes, food, and monthly allowances.
The management of the Madrasa was carried out by a headmaster who was chosen by the senior state employees. The headmaster was assisted by a number of assistants, led by the supervisor, who was like the financial inspector. A number of employees were also hired to serve the teachers and students. Teachers usually consisted of senior Sheikhs and Imams from Iraq, the Levant and Egypt who were known for their deep research and study. Some of the teachers were also assisted by higher teachers. Employees of the Madrasa also had a salary. Due to the diversity of its subjects, the madrasa had several institutions established by al-Mustansir that taught several different subjects.
In 1235, an early monumental water-powered alarm clock that announced the appointed hours of prayer and the time both by day and by night was completed in the entrance hall of al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa in Baghdad.
Within the school of Islamic studies, there were specific institutions of Islamic knowledge. The divisions included the Dar al-Hadith, in which a high level sheikh and a Qur'an Qāriʾ would recite hadiths every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday to a class of ten. Dar al-Hadith was dedicated to the study of the sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. Another significant institution was the Dar al-Qur’an, which was dedicated to the study and recitation of the Qur’an. There was a designated reciter of the Qur'an and a fellow aid to help teach the students. Along with the students, there were thirty orphans who were housed in the complex. All students, including the orphans, were designated an equal wage, bread, and stew. Within this school, there was a senior scholar, or Shiekh, who held the highest position of education within the scholarly complex.
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Mustansiriyya Madrasa
Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa (Arabic: المدرسة المستنصرية) was a medieval-era scholarly complex in Baghdad, Iraq, that provided a universal system of higher education. It was established in 1227 CE and was named after and built by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir in Baghdad, Iraq. The Madrasa taught many different subjects, including medicine, math, literature, grammar, philosophy, and Islamic religious studies. However, the major focus of education was Islamic law. It became the most prominent and high-ranking center for Islamic studies in all of Baghdad.
The architecture of the madrasa was also an important example of Islamic architectural development in Baghdad. The Madrasa has experienced several periods of decline and reemergence throughout its history. The most significant degradation to the Madrasa's architecture and position within Baghdad was the 1258 Mongol Siege of Baghdad. Today, the complex is in a state of restoration as is it being overseen by the Directorate of Antiquities in Iraq. It is currently a part of al-Mustansiriyya University, and is located on the left bank of the Tigris River.
Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa remains one of the only surviving and authentic landmarks of Abbasid Baghdad. It is officially listed as a part of a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list as an important example of historical Baghdad.
Madrasas during the Abbasid period were used as the predominant instrument to foster the spread of Islamic and scientific thought as well as a way to extend the founder's pious ideals.
This madrasa was established by Caliph al-Mustansir and its cost amounted to 700 thousand dinars, and it was opened for study on the 6th of April, 1233, and a large celebration and feast was held in its opening. It was the first Islamic university in which the study of jurisprudence based on the four schools of thought; Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali and all were combined into “one school.” This inspired al-Salihiyya Madrasa in Cairo which was established almost a decade after the Baghdadi madrasa and also taught and mixed four schools of thought into one. In addition to theological schools of thought, it also had several other disciplines such as mathematics, algebra, and philosophy. The scholarly university provided students from all over Iraq with academic education, lodgings, clothes, food, and monthly allowances.
The management of the Madrasa was carried out by a headmaster who was chosen by the senior state employees. The headmaster was assisted by a number of assistants, led by the supervisor, who was like the financial inspector. A number of employees were also hired to serve the teachers and students. Teachers usually consisted of senior Sheikhs and Imams from Iraq, the Levant and Egypt who were known for their deep research and study. Some of the teachers were also assisted by higher teachers. Employees of the Madrasa also had a salary. Due to the diversity of its subjects, the madrasa had several institutions established by al-Mustansir that taught several different subjects.
In 1235, an early monumental water-powered alarm clock that announced the appointed hours of prayer and the time both by day and by night was completed in the entrance hall of al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa in Baghdad.
Within the school of Islamic studies, there were specific institutions of Islamic knowledge. The divisions included the Dar al-Hadith, in which a high level sheikh and a Qur'an Qāriʾ would recite hadiths every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday to a class of ten. Dar al-Hadith was dedicated to the study of the sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. Another significant institution was the Dar al-Qur’an, which was dedicated to the study and recitation of the Qur’an. There was a designated reciter of the Qur'an and a fellow aid to help teach the students. Along with the students, there were thirty orphans who were housed in the complex. All students, including the orphans, were designated an equal wage, bread, and stew. Within this school, there was a senior scholar, or Shiekh, who held the highest position of education within the scholarly complex.