Local Sources of Historical Documentation in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah during the Ayyubid and Mamluk Periods: An Analytical Study (567 AH – 923 AH / 1171 AD – 1517 AD)

Abstract

This analytical study explores the nature of local historical documentation in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods (567 AH – 923 AH / 1171 AD – 1517 AD). During these eras, the city gained significant status as a sacred religious center, leading to a flourish in local historiography that focused on its landmarks, mosques, scientific life, and social fabric. The research investigates the political background of the city, which transitioned from Zaydi influence to Ayyubid and eventually Mamluk sovereignty, while maintaining a degree of local rule by the Ashraf. The study highlights prominent local sources authored by scholars directly connected to the city, such as Ibn al-Jawzi’s "Muthir al-Azm", Ibn al-Najjar’s "al-Durra al-Thamina", al-Marjani’s "Bahjat al-Nufus", and al-Samhudi’s encyclopedic work "Wafa al-Wafa". Utilizing an analytical approach, the research evaluates the methodologies of these historians, noting a transition from traditional narrative reporting to sophisticated critical analysis and field observation. While early works often blended religious virtues with history, later scholars like al-Samhudi employed comparative criticism and meticulous documentation of architectural changes, such as those following the second fire of the Prophet's Mosque in 886 AH. These local sources provide an essential foundation for understanding Al-Madinah’s history. They represent an advanced stage of documentation that balances scientific accuracy with religious devotion, effectively preserving the city's cultural heritage and filling gaps left by general historical texts. The study concludes that the "local documentation" emerged as an independent phenomenon with its own tools and methods, contributing significantly to the construction of local historical memory.