Muhammad al-Idrisi Biography: Death, Age, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Nationality, Parents, Full Name, Books

Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani as-Sabti, commonly known as al-Idrisi, was a renowned Arab Muslim geographer and cartographer who held a prominent position in the court of King Roger II in Palermo, Sicily.

Born in Ceuta, which was under the control of the Almoravid dynasty at the time, al-Idrisi is best known for creating the Tabula Rogeriana, an exceptionally advanced world map of the medieval period.

The Tabula Rogeriana, meticulously drawn on a large silver planisphere, stands as one of the most sophisticated maps of the 12th century. It was a comprehensive world map, divided into 70 sections according to seven climatic zones north of the Equator and further subdivided by lines of longitude.

Profile

• Full Name: Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani as-Sabti
• Stage Name: Muhammad Al Idrisi
• Born: 1100
• Died: 1165
• Age: 64–65 years old
• Birthplace: Ceuta, Almoravid dynasty
• Nationality: Arab
• Occupation: Geographer and Cartographer
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Muhammad al-Idrisi
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani as-Sabi was born in 1100 in Ceuta, a city then under the control of the Almoravid dynasty.

He was the son of Muhammad al-Idrisi, although information about his mother remains unknown. While it is possible that he had siblings, there are no available details about them.

Al-Idrisi received his education at the prestigious university in Córdoba, Spain, which was a prominent center of learning during that era. He was an Arab Muslim by faith.

Career

Al-Idrisi’s academic journey began in Córdoba, Spain, which was a renowned intellectual hub during the time of Muslim Spain. From a young age, he exhibited a strong passion for travel, embarking on extensive journeys at just 16 years old.

His travels spanned across various regions, including North Africa, Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain and Portugal), Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and parts of Europe. His explorations took him to places such as Portugal, the Pyrenees, the French Atlantic coast, Hungary, and even as far as York in England.

These extensive travels allowed him to gather invaluable geographical knowledge, which would later form the foundation of his works.

Around 1140-1145, al-Idrisi’s career took a pivotal turn when he was invited to the court of King Roger II of Sicily. Roger II, a Norman ruler with both political and intellectual ambitions, sought al-Idrisi’s expertise to enhance his Mediterranean influence.

Al-Idrisi’s deep understanding of Muslim Spain and North Africa proved invaluable to Roger’s strategic interests, while the king’s genuine passion for geography provided a fertile ground for collaboration.

Roger had already initiated an ambitious project to create a comprehensive world geography, which aligned perfectly with al-Idrisi’s expertise. This collaboration, conducted in the intellectual environment of Roger’s court, allowed al-Idrisi to work with scholars from various traditions, synthesizing classical knowledge and firsthand observations to produce groundbreaking geographic works.

By January 1154, just before King Roger II’s death, al-Idrisi completed his most important achievements. These included a silver planisphere (now lost), a world map divided into seven climatic zones and ten sections of longitude, and the creation of his magnum opus, The Book of Roger (Kitab al-Rujari).

The Tabula Rogeriana, as the world map was known, remains one of the most advanced and sophisticated maps of the medieval period, embodying the pinnacle of classical Arab geographical knowledge.

Al-Idrisi’s work marked a significant intellectual collaboration between Islamic and Christian cultures during the Middle Ages. However, despite its remarkable contributions, his work remained largely overlooked in the Muslim world for centuries.

Social Media

Muhammad Al Idrisi does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Muhammad al-Idrisi’s personal life, including details about his spouse, children, or specific relationships, remains largely undocumented, with available sources primarily focusing on his scholarly contributions, travels, and work as a geographer and cartographer.

There is no significant information regarding his marriage or offspring. Al-Idrisi passed away in 1165 or possibly 1166, at the age of approximately 64 or 65.

Net Worth

Muhammad al-Idrisi’s net worth and financial status remain unknown, but his primary source of income was the patronage of King Roger II of Sicily.

Roger II provided al-Idrisi with a royal pension and substantial financial support to fund his geographic and cartographic projects, including the creation of the Tabula Rogeriana and other significant works.