Post-classical history

Sibt ibn al-Jawzī (1185/1186-1256)

Shams al-Din Abu’l-Muzaffar Yûsuf ibn Qizoghlu, also known as Sibt ibn al-Jawzi, was a famous preacher and writer.

The son of a Turkish freedman and the daughter of another well-known preacher and writer, Ibn al-Jawzi (whence comes his name, “grandson of Ibn al-Jawzi”), he was actually brought up by his famous grandfather. After the latter’s death in 1201 he went to Damascus, where he served the Ayyûbid rulers al-Mu‘azzam ‘īsā, al-Nāsir Dāwūd, and al-Ashraf Mûsā. He became known in particular for his preaching and was said to have moved his listeners to tears with his eloquence.

Sibt ibn al-Jawzi wrote a great universal history entitled Mir’āt al-Zamān fi Ta’rikh al-Ayān (Mirror of Time Concerning the History of Notables), which includes an account of the crusading period up to his death. A number of other works have also been ascribed to him.

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