The scientific impact of Al-Hafiz Sharaf Al-Din Al-Damiati

(d. 705 A.H / 1306 A.D)

Abstract

This research examines the scientific impact of Al-Hafiz Sharaf al-Din al-Damiati, who descended from a famous scholarly family known as (Al-Damiati) in reference to the city of Damietta in Egypt. This family was distinguished by producing scholars and writers during the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras, the most prominent of whom was Sharaf al-Din. He was preceded by a scholar of no lesser scientific stature, Shams al-Din al-Damiati (d. 693 AH), who was famous for his knowledge of the science of readings. Sharaf al-Din al-Damiati was famous for his mastery of the science of hadith and genealogy. The political situation that prevailed during his era was represented by the occupation of the city of Baghdad in 656 AH/1258 AD, the end of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, the Mongol and Tatar invasion of the Islamic world and its threat on the one hand, and the Crusades and attempts to control the city of Damietta on the other hand. Despite this, the scientific movement in this era witnessed a flourishing of the scientific movement, the spread of schools, and the encouragement of scholars by rulers and their support. His most important scientific works were his written works on the science of Hadith and its sciences, on biography, genealogies, jurisprudence, worship, spirituality and preaching, in addition to his marginal notes and commentaries on previous works. His extensive scientific journeys also reflect his ambition to seek and disseminate knowledge. Therefore, he is considered one of the most prominent memorizers and hadith scholars of his time, and he left behind a rich scientific legacy.