Nizamiyya
A Nizamiyya (Classical Persian: نظامیه Niẓāmiyya, from Arabic نظامية Niẓāmiyya, short for مدرسة نظامية madrasa Niẓāmiyya, lit. 'Nizamian school'),[a] less commonly spelled Nezamiyeh (modern Iranian Persian: نظامیه Neẓâmiye), was a type of institution of higher education established by Nizam al-Mulk in the 11th century across regions of the Seljuk Empire (corresponding to greater Iranian cultural and political influence). The word Nizamiyya derives from Nizam al-Mulk's name. These Sunni Islam theological schools are considered to have been models for later Islamic universities, or schools.[2]
The Nizamiyyas were among the first well-organized institutions of higher learning in the world. The quality of education was among the highest in the Islamic world, and they were even renowned in Europe. They were supported financially, politically, and spiritually by the royal establishment and the elite class. Some scholars have suggested that the establishment of the Nizamiyyas was in fact an attempt to thwart the growing influence of another group of Muslims, the Ismailis, in the region. Indeed, Nizam al-Mulk devoted a significant section in his famous Siyasatnama (Books of Politics) to refuting the Ismaili doctrines.[3]
The most famous and celebrated of all the Nizamiyyas was the Nizamiyya of Baghdad (established 1065), where Nizam al-Mulk appointed the distinguished philosopher and theologian, al-Ghazali, as a professor. Persian poet Sa'di was a student of the Baghdad Nizamiyya. Other Nizamiyyas were located in Nishapur, Amol, Balkh, Herat and Isfahan.
Nizam al-Mulk was finally assassinated en route from Isfahan to Baghdad in 1092 CE. According to several books, he was assassinated by a Nizari Ismaili (an Assassin).
According to Muqatil ibn Atiyah, a staff member of the Nizamiyya of Baghdad and son-in-law of Nizam al-Mulk, he alleges that Nizam al-Mulk converted to Shia Islam after a Sunni-Shia debate held on the orders of Sultan Malik Shah I, who also converted to Shiism. But it is thereafter that they were both assassinated.[4][5] The book has been subjected to scholarly criticism by some academic researchers, as historical sources do not mention or refer to this conference, and the Seljuk Sultan and his minister were among the most fanatical Sunnis. This contradicts what this book presents, making it, in the researcher's view, a work of popular fiction.[6]
The curriculum initially focused on religious studies, Islamic law, Arabic literature, and arithmetic, and later extended to history, mathematics, the physical sciences, and music.[7]
See also
- Education
- Academy of Gundishapur
- Dar al-Fonun
- Higher education in Iran
- House of Wisdom, another establishment in Baghdad
- Modern Iranian scientists and engineers
- Sarouyeh
- School of Nisibis
- List of Iranian Research Centers
- List of Iranian scientists from the pre-modern era
- List of universities in Iran
Notes
References
- ^ Biographical Notices of Persian Poets. 1846. p. 7.
- ^ Ed(s). "al- Niẓāmiyya, al- Madrasa." Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2010, retrieved 20(03/2010)
- ^ Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), 73.
- ^ مقاتل بن عطيه. در جستجوی حق در بغداد (in Persian).
- ^ مقاتل بن عطيه (2006). راهی به سوی حقیقت (in Persian). ʻIṭr-i ʻIṭrat. pp. 134–136. ISBN 964-93287-8-5. Archived from the original on 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
- ^ Criticism of the book "The Conference of Baghdad Scholars," Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University, Assistant Professor Dr. Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Khalaf, Issue 543, 1987
- ^ B.G. Massialas & S.A. Jarrar (1987), "Conflicts in education in the Arab world: The present challenge", Arab Studies Quarterly: "Subjects such as history, mathematics, physical sciences, and music were added to the curriculum of Al-Nizamiyah at a later time."