Abu bakr abbas al-khwarezmi and his work “rasa’il al-khwarezmi”

Abstract

During the 9th–12th centuries, the region of Mawarannahr, particularly Khwarezm, emerged as a major hub of Arabic-language literary creativity and scholarship. This region contributed significantly to the golden age of classical Arabic literature. Among the most prominent figures of this period was Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Abbas al-Khwarezmi (935–993), a distinguished philologist, poet, and prose writer whose works are notable for their depth, diversity, and refined literary style. His key works — Diwan ash-Shi’r (The Book of Poetry), Rasa’il al-Khwarezmi (Khwarezmi’s Letters), and Al-Amsal al-Muwallad (Proverbs) — have survived to the present day and remain important both historically and literarily.

This article focuses primarily on the Rasa’il al-Khwarezmi, a unique collection of letters addressed to various individuals including rulers, ministers, friends, and scholars. These letters reflect the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the time, as well as Khwarezmi’s exceptional literary skill. The article consists of three interconnected parts:

1. A brief overview of Abu Bakr al-Khwarezmi’s life and literary heritage;
2. The significance of Rasa’il al-Khwarezmi in the development of Arabic epistolary literature;
3. An analysis of the work’s value as a historical and literary source.