Al-Maqrizi: The Most Prominent Historian and Economist in Egypt's History

There are scholars who created civilizations or contributed to human civilization. Among them is Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, who authored a vast encyclopedia interpreting the noble Hadith over twenty years, Al-Maqrizi, the sheikh of historians who is credited with much of what we know about Islamic Egypt, and Ibn Khaldun, the founder of sociology, among others. Most scholars, politicians, rulers, and even soldiers in the Islamic era were not Egyptian by birth from both parents; many acquired Egyptian nationality, similar to how it happens today in the United States, Canada, or Europe through naturalization. Back then, everyone lived within one vast state, whether Egypt was part of the Abbasid Caliphate, the Fatimid Caliphate, or the Mamluk Sultanate. Today, some countries compete to claim the legacy of medieval scholars-for example, the tomb of Ibn Sina (Avicenna), the most prominent physician, lies in Iran, and his image was featured on the Tajik Samani 20-currency note. Al-Maqrizi (764-845 AH / 1364-1442 CE) He was an Egyptian, born and died in Cairo. His full name was Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Abdul-Qadir al-Maqrizi. His family origins traced back to Syria, specifically Lebanon, while his mother was Egyptian. He was born in Harat Barjawan in the Darb al-Sa'ada district, where he grew up, was educated, and always took pride in belonging to his neighborhood. Al-Maqrizi held political opinions that cost him dearly. He criticized the corruption of the Mamluks, their deviation from the righteous path, and their shortsighted greed, which led to enrichment at the expense of Egypt's agricultural and trade stability. He was the most prominent student of Ibn Khaldun, the founder of the science of civilization (sociology). Al-Maqrizi became the chief of Arab and Egyptian historians. His legacy was like a media and scientific institution, documenting a very important period of Islamic Egypt's history. Although modern media did not exist at that time, Al-Maqrizi functioned as a one-man institution that chronicled events comprehensively. He discussed economic theories centuries before modern scholars-ideas for which others later won Nobel Prizes. In his famous work Al-Khitat al-Maqriziya he described Egypt as: "Egypt is my birthplace, the playground of my companions, the gathering of my people, the abode of my clan and family, and the home that nurtured me. Since my youth, when God granted me intelligence and understanding, I desired to know its news and loved to observe its wells of knowledge."-Key Scientific and Practical Contributions of Al-Maqrizi-The Father of Monetary Economics: He was among the first to analyze economic crises, inflation, and prices, linking them to monetary policy. He was the first to connect monetary policies and economic fluctuations (crises and recessions), particularly during the Black Death that devastated Egypt and claimed his son's life.-His Works: * Al-Mawa'iz wa al-I'tibar bi Dhikr al-Khitat wa al-Athar (known as Al-Khitat al-Maqriziya), the most important historical reference on Islamic Egypt, detailing Cairo's neighborhoods, population, economy, politics, rulers, and more. * Ighathat al-Ummah bi-Kashf al-Ghummah (Relief of the Nation in Exposing the Crisis), diagnosing Egypt's crises and their causes. * Al-Kayl wa al-Mizan al-Shar'iya (Weights and Measures in Shari'a). * Shudhūr al-'Uqūd fi Dhikr al-Nuqud (Fragments on Currency), a treatise on Islamic coins.-Public Service: In 801 AH (1398 CE), he was appointed Muhtasib (market inspector) of Cairo and Lower Egypt, a highly significant role through which he closely observed Egypt's economic, social, and political conditions, later recording them in his writings.-Economic Analysis: He studied monetary phenomena, crises, and their causessome political (corruption of governance), others economic (rising production costs, excessive money supply). He argued crises were primarily due to corruption in government and mismanagement, which increased food prices and poverty.-Policy Proposals: He proposed minting coins only from precious metals (gold or silver) to limit monetary supply and maintain value, excluding copper as it destabilized circulation. He stressed silver had intrinsic commodity value beyond its nominal monetary role, leading many to melt it for alternative uses.