A Scholarly Study of Al-Damiri’s Ḥayāt al-Ḥayawān al-Kubrā in the Perspective of Islamic Epistemology

Abstract

Al-Damīrī’s Ḥayāt al-Ḥayawān al-Kubrā stands as one of the most distinguished encyclopedic works of the Islamic intellectual tradition. Composed in the 8th century Hijrī, it represents a unique synthesis of science, theology, literature, and jurisprudence. Al-Damīrī, a distinguished Shāfiʿī jurist and scholar of linguistics and medicine, compiled this monumental text as both a scientific reference and a moral discourse. Arranged alphabetically, the work documents approximately 931 animals, discussing their linguistic meanings, physical traits, symbolic connotations, Qur’ānic and Hadith references, and the related legal rulings regarding their use and consumption. Drawing upon earlier authorities such as al-Jāḥiẓ, al-Qazwīnī, and Ibn Sīnā, Al-Damīrī’s work surpasses its predecessors through its comprehensive structure and integration of ethical reflection. His approach embodies the epistemic harmony of Islamic scholarship—merging reason, revelation, and empirical observation. The book’s style is multifaceted, blending scientific notes, linguistic inquiry, poetry, anecdotes, dream interpretations, and medical insights, making it an exceptional example of medieval Muslim interdisciplinarity. While some later critics, including Mullā Kātip Çelebi, viewed it as an uneven compilation, its encyclopedic richness remains invaluable for understanding Islamic perspectives on nature, morality, and creation. Beyond zoological knowledge, Ḥayāt al-Ḥayawān al-Kubrā reveals how Islamic epistemology linked knowledge of the natural world with faith, ethics, and social responsibility. In essence, Al-Damīrī’s masterpiece reflects the profound integration of science and spirituality in the Islamic worldview, demonstrating that the study of creation is itself a path to comprehending the Creator.