Al-Sharif Al-Idrisi: The Scholar Who Drew the First Accurate Map of the World

By Prof. Dr. Faid Mohammed Said

Introduction

Al-Sharif al-Idrisi (1100–1165 CE) is regarded as one of the most distinguished Muslim geographers of the medieval era. He made significant contributions to the advancement of geographical sciences and cartography, blending theoretical knowledge with empirical observation. His works became authoritative references for both Muslim and Western scholars.

In this article, we explore his scholarly biography, upbringing, major achievements, and enduring influence on both Islamic and Western intellectual traditions. We also highlight the perspectives of Muslim scholars and Orientalists on his legacy.

Biography

His full name is Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Idris al-Hammudi al-Idrisi. He was born in 493 AH / 1100 CE in the city of Ceuta, in present-day Morocco. A descendant of the Idrisid dynasty—which once ruled parts of al-Andalus and the Maghreb—he inherited a keen interest in science and geography. He is considered among the first scholars to develop a systematic and scientific approach to cartography.

Upbringing and Context

Socioeconomic Conditions:

Al-Idrisi grew up in a prosperous trading environment. Ceuta, as a significant economic hub linking al-Andalus, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, offered him access to diverse sources of geographical knowledge.

Political Context:

He lived through the transition between the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties in the Maghreb and Sicily. After the Norman conquest of Sicily under King Roger II, al-Idrisi joined the royal court, where his expertise in geography and mapmaking was highly valued.

Cultural and Scientific Context:

During his time, al-Andalus was a beacon of scientific advancement, particularly in geography, mathematics, and astronomy. Al-Idrisi was influenced by earlier Muslim geographers such as al-Mas‘udi, Ibn Hawqal, and al-Bakri, and developed a rigorous scientific methodology based on observation and documentation.

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Teachers and Students

Al-Idrisi studied in Córdoba, then a global center of learning. While historical records provide few specific names of his teachers, his intellectual foundations were shaped by both Islamic and Hellenistic geographical traditions. His influence is evident in the works of later scholars and in European academic circles following the translation of his writings.

Major Achievements

1.⁠ ⁠The First Accurate Map of the World

At the request of King Roger II of Sicily, al-Idrisi produced an extraordinarily accurate map of the known world, engraved on a two-meter-wide silver disk. Known as the “Tabula Rogeriana”, the map utilized latitude and longitude and served as a navigational reference for European sailors up to the 15th century.

2.⁠ ⁠Authoring “Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq al-Afaq”

This seminal work, often translated as “The Pleasure of Him Who Longs to Cross the Horizons”, is al-Idrisi’s greatest contribution. It provides detailed descriptions of continents, seas, cities, and rivers and divides the world into seven climatic zones. After being translated into Latin, it became a foundational resource for European geographers.

3.⁠ ⁠“Compendium on the Characteristics of Various Plants”

A significant botanical work, this book highlights al-Idrisi’s interest in natural sciences, particularly in the medicinal properties of plants.

4.⁠ ⁠“The Book of Kingdoms and Distances”

This work features precise measurements of distances between cities, further establishing al-Idrisi’s role in the scientific documentation of geographical data.

Scientific Influence

In the Islamic World:

Al-Idrisi remained a central reference in Islamic geography. He influenced notable figures such as Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Battuta, and Yaqut al-Hamawi, positioning him as a foundational figure in the development of modern geographical thought.

In the West:

Following the Norman conquest of Sicily, al-Idrisi’s works spread across Europe, where they remained influential through the Renaissance. His maps and writings were directly referenced by explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama.

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Muslim Scholars on Al-Idrisi

• Yaqut al-Hamawi praised him: “He excelled in describing lands with unmatched precision.”
• Ibn Khaldun referred to him as: “The true renewer of geography in Islam.”

Orientalist Perspectives

• Miguel Asín Palacios (Spain): Described Nuzhat al-Mushtaq as “a rich source of accurate information about Europe.”
• Ignatius Kratchkovsky (Russia), in his History of Arabic Geographical Literature, considered it “the most comprehensive geographical treatise from the medieval Islamic world.”
• J. Reissler (France): Asserted that al-Idrisi’s maps “recognized the spherical nature of the Earth and culminated the science of cartographic projection.”

Western Academic Recognition

• Clark University (USA): Named a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program after al-Idrisi in recognition of his contributions.
• University of Oxford (UK): Noted that his maps laid the groundwork for European geographical science.
• Sorbonne University (France): Stated that his work advanced the medieval understanding of Earth’s sphericity.
• British Academy (UK): Described him as “the most accurate geographical source of the 12th century.”

Conclusion

Al-Sharif al-Idrisi stands as a model of the Muslim scholar who seamlessly blended theoretical insight with empirical fieldwork, producing timeless contributions that transcended geography and reached into the realms of navigation, cartography, and botanical science. His renown extended well beyond the Islamic world and left an indelible mark on European scientific development.

Al-Idrisi’s intellectual legacy reminds us of the central role that Islamic civilization has played in the global history of knowledge. His life and work call for a renewed investment in our scientific heritage as a foundation for contemporary advancement.

References

• Yaqut al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, vol. 2, Dar al-Fikr al-‘Arabi, Cairo.
• Ibn Khaldun, Al-Muqaddimah, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut.
• Ignatius Kratchkovsky, History of Arabic Geographical Literature, trans. Salah al-Din al-Munajjid, Dar al-Kitab al-Lubnani, Beirut.
• Miguel Asín Palacios, The Arabs and Europe in the Middle Ages, trans. Abdel Rahman Badawi, Dar al-Ma‘arif, Cairo.
• J. Reissler, Arab Maps in the Middle Ages, Oxford University Press, 1982.
• Clark University, Idrisi GIS Program – Official Website.
• University of Oxford, Geographical Influences in the Middle Ages, Academic Journal, 2021.
• Sorbonne University, Medieval Cartography: The Idrisi Influence, Paris, 2022.
• British Academy, The Contribution of Al-Idrisi to European Cartography, London, 2023.