Excerpts from the book Al-Iqd Al-Farid

"Al-Iqd al-Farid" (The Unique Necklace) is an encyclopedic book considered one of the most prominent literary works in the Arab heritage. In it, Ibn Abd Rabbih combined wisdom, literature, and history, making it a fundamental source in the Arab library. Ibn Abd Rabbih completed the book in 322 AH, relying on rich sources from ancient Arabic literature, such as "Uyun al-Akhbar" by Ibn Qutaybah and "Al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin" by al-Jahiz. The book is distinguished by its unique character, as Ibn Abd Rabbih envisioned his work as a necklace of jewels, with the middle section (the twenty-fifth book) in the middle, balancing the other chapters. The book is divided into twenty-five books, each containing two parts, for a total of fifty parts, reflecting the meticulous arrangement and organization of his work. In his book, Ibn Abd Rabbih focused on introducing the people of Andalusia to the Arab East, and it contains news, proverbs, and beautiful poems that highlight the eloquence and rhetoric of the Arabic language. The book serves as a cultural and educational guide that reflects the Andalusians'' ability to rival the Levant in various fields. It is an important reference for understanding the culture of the Andalusian era and the richness of Arabic literature.