The City of Isfahan: A Description and Explanation from the Book "History of Isfahan" by Abu Na'eem Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Isfahani (d. 430 AH)

Abstract

The topic of this study is the descriptive passage included by Hafiz al-Zaman Abu Na'eem, buried in Isfahan, in the introduction to his book "Al-Tarikh." In it, he explains and elaborates on some of the landmarks of the city of Isfahan during his time and in previous eras.

The aim of this study is to examine and verify this elegant, biographical description in accordance with the established methodology of scholarly research and documentation.

The intention is to produce the aforementioned text—in light of its written sources—in accordance with the published methodology, with the purpose of presenting it faithfully as intended by its author.

What is noteworthy in achieving this is the adoption of a documentary approach in this verification section.

This study—along with the desired objectives and goals—has yielded a number of important results, the most notable of which are:

The description with which Hafiz Abu Na'eem introduces his book, "The History of Isfahan and the Isfahanis", is a comprehensive introduction and a broad, useful portrayal that encompasses the generalities of this city, both in terms of definition and description, in precious and delicate language, indicating the high caliber of this noble work.