Selections from the histories of Taqi al-Din al-Maqrizi

The author of this book is the famous historian Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Maqrizi, one of the most prominent historians of Islamic Egypt. Al-Maqrizi was born in Cairo to a family whose roots traced back to the city of Baalbek. He was named "e;al-Maqrizi"e; after his great-grandfather, who resided in the Maqarizi neighborhood there. Al-Maqrizi was distinguished by his balanced personality and deep love of history. His student Ibn Taghri Birdi attested to his "e;many virtues."e; He was known for his vast knowledge, meticulous writing, and commitment to academic integrity. Al-Maqrizi was so passionate about history that he became a byword for his meticulous knowledge and documentation, although some of his contemporaries, such as al-Sakhawi, believed that his historical knowledge surpassed his grasp of the sciences of hadith. He left a rich legacy of more than two hundred volumes, known for his disciplined approach, fluid style, and precise grasp of events. He was known for his humility with his students, taking their feedback into account and amending his works accordingly. Al-Maqrizi died on Ramadan 16, 845 AH (February 8, 1442 AD), leaving behind a remarkable legacy of works that covered Egypt's political and cultural history from the Islamic conquest to the era of the Bahri and Burji Mamluks.