Al-Nizamiyya of Baghdad

Al-Nizamiyya of Baghdad (Arabic,المدرسة النظامية ), one of the first Islamic universities,^[1] was established in 1065. In July 1091, Nizam al-Mulk appointed the 33-year-old Al-Ghazali as a professor of the school.^[2]

Offering free education,^[3] it has been described as the "largest university of the Medieval world".^[4]

Ibn Tumart, founder of the Berber Almohad dynasty, reputedly attended the school and studied under al-Ghazali.^[5] Nizam al-Mulk's son-in-law Mughatil ibn Bakri was also employed by the university. In 1096, when al-Ghazali left the University, it housed 3000 students.^[6] In 1116, Muhammad al-Shahrastani taught at the University.^[7] In the 1170s, statesman Beha Ud-Din taught at the University, before he moved on to teach in Mosul.

Persian poet Sa'di studied at the university from 1195 until 1226, when he set out on a thirty-year journey, he was also among those who witnessed first-hand accounts of its destruction by Mongol Ilkhanate invaders led by Hulagu during the Sack of Baghdad in the year 1258.

Sa'di recalls clearly his days of studies at the Al-Nizamiyya of Baghdad: A fellow-student at Nizamiah displayed malevolence towards me, and I informed my tutor, saying: "Whenever I give more proper answers than he the envious fellow becomes offended."

The Professor replied: The envy of thy friend is not agreeable to thee, but I know not who told thee that back-biting was commendable. If he seek perdition through the path of envy, thou wilt join him by the path of slander."^{[page needed]}

See also

• Mustansiriya School, another Baghdad university, founded in 1233
• Nizamiyya

References

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