The Dictionary of Libyan Towns by Sheikh Al-Tahir Al-Zawi and Its Importance in Studying the Islamic History of Libya

Abstract

This study examines "the Dictionary of Libyan Towns (Mu'jam Al-Buldan Al-Libiyyah) by Sheikh Al-Tahir Al-Zawi and its significance in studying the Islamic history of Libya." The research analyzes the lexical text to uncover the epistemological and documentation methodology that characterizes this unique scholarly achievement, highlighting its features as an integrated geographical and historical encyclopedia. The nature of this source requires a re-reading of its content, as well as deconstructing and analyzing its texts, to understand how the author managed to link the geography and topography of the Libyan land with the course of historical events and successive occurrences upon it. This dictionary represents a cognitive missing link (or a bridge of knowledge) that gathers the scattered history of places and documents their landmarks with an authentic national vision that serves both the reader and the researcher in Libyan history and heritage. The importance of this research lies briefly in highlighting the scientific and cultural value of the dictionary, and demonstrating the extent of its actual contribution to serving Libyan history. Its conclusion culminated in confirming the pioneering status of the dictionary as an indispensable, authentic reference source, and proving the diversity and robustness of the resources upon which, the author relied in constructing the material of his dictionary.