Sufi Al-Din ibn Abdul Haq and the book "Marasid Al-Itila"

Abstract

The book "Marasid al-Itla' fi Asma' al-Amakin wa al-Biqa'" is considered a significant work in Arab geographical heritage, providing valuable insights into the locations of kingdoms, cities, villages, rivers, and inhabited areas. Despite being an abridged version of Yaqut al-Hamawi's "Mu'jam al-Buldan," it includes corrections and additions by the author. However, the absence of the author's name has led to debates among modern researchers about its attribution. This paper examines the historical context and various opinions regarding the authorship, with conflicting claims associating it with Yaqut al-Hamawi, Safi al-Din bin Abd al-Haq, or Jalal al-Din Abd al-Rahman al-Suyuti. The paper highlights the challenges faced by researchers due to the lack of a clear authorial attribution and variations in manuscript copies.