Endowment Libraries in Saudi Arabia

Endowment Libraries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are libraries endowed by princes, rulers, scholars, and individuals to benefit students and individuals charitably, according to the endowment conditions. They house rare books and manuscripts.

The origins of endowment libraries date back to the early days of Islam, specifically during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs in the sixth century. They later evolved during the Umyyad and Abbasid caliphates. In cities like Makkah al-Mukarramah, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and Taif, book repositories were established in the homes of some of the companions and the followers of the Prophet, providing access to the general public, especially students of knowledge. Endowment libraries also appeared in mosques, particularly in the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah and the Prophet's Mosque in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, as well as in houses of knowledge (schools) and associations. Before the advent of Islam, one of the well-known book repositories in Makkah al-Mukarramah was that of Abdulhakim Bin Amr al-Jumahi. After the rise of Islam, the establishment of book repositories by the companions and followers of the Prophet became widespread. These libraries were primarily intended for preserving the Holy Quran and the recorded Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH). Notable figures who established such repositories included Abu Huraira Abdulrahman Bin Sakhr ad-Dawsi, Abdullah Bin Amr Bin al-Aas, Abdullah Bin Abbas, Abdulrahman Bin Abi Layla Abu Isa al-Ansari, Anas Bin Malik, Urwa Bin az-Zubayr, Mujahid Bin Jabr, Bukayr Bin Abdullah al-Ashaj al-Madani, Imam Malik Bin Anas, Imam al-Shafi'i, az-Zubayr Bin Bakkar, and Abdulaziz Bin Omar az-Zahri.

Throughout Islamic history, several types of endowment libraries appeared, especially in the urban areas of Hejaz. Discrepancies are attributed to the conditions of the dedicator and the library's location. The types of these libraries include public endowment libraries, private endowment libraries, mosque libraries, endowment school libraries, association libraries, Sufi lodge libraries (at-Takaya), corner libraries, hospital libraries (Bimaristan), observatory libraries, retreat libraries, cemetery libraries.

The establishment of endowment libraries in Makkah al-Mukarramah dates back to the eighth century, with the founding of al-Haram al-Makki al-Sharif Library during the Abbasid era, around 777, under Caliph al-Mahdi. This library initially housed books in two domes, with additional private collections added over time. Unfortunately, some of its books were damaged in an overflow that struck the Grand Mosque in 1026. In 1846, efforts were made to recover the scattered books, and new additions were made, leading to the library being renamed al-Majidiyyah Library. During the era of the Third Saudi State, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud ordered the transformation of the library into the foundation of a public library. He allocated a budget for it and established a dedicated regulatory system for its operation. Although the library originally remained within the Grand Mosque, it was relocated several times following the first Saudi expansion. It holds a collection of about seventy thousand printed and manuscript books.

Among Makkah al-Mukarramah's ancient libraries, which date back to the early Islamic period, are al-Khizanah al-Malikiyyah, the Bani Fahd Family Library—both of which housed rare manuscripts—and the Circassian Qaitbay Library. Additionally, there were various association libraries, which featured key books in Hadith, Islamic Fiqh, and history.

Before the Saudi reign, several libraries were established in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, often funded by rulers and princes for the benefit of students. Some of these libraries were associated with endowment schools. These libraries housed rare manuscripts, including those in the Prophet's Mosque Library, the Aaref Hikmat School Library, the Amin Ibn Sheikh al-Haram School Library, al-Mahmoudiyyah School Library, the Bachir Agha School Library, al-Hamidiyyah School Library, as-Sayed Jamal al-Leil Library, al-Irfaniyyah School Library, al-Qazaniyyah School Library, and al-Jabrati Association Library, along with numerous other association libraries, private collections, and libraries created by scholars for public access. By 1887, the number of libraries in the city was estimated at around twenty, with over 22,000 books.

During the Saudi reign, several new endowment libraries were established in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, including the Prophet's Mosque Library, al-Mushaf al-Sharif Library, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Public Library, and King Abdulaziz Library. These institutions house thousands of books and rare manuscripts, including ancient copies of the Quran, one of which dates back to 1121. These libraries feature collections from private individuals, donations from rulers in Islamic countries, as well as works by authors and scholars. Open to the public for approximately twelve hours a day, they also offer borrowing services.

In the nineteenth century, a library was founded next to Masjid Abdullah Ibn Abbas, containing many books and manuscripts. Over time, additional endowment books were added to its collection, and the library became affiliated with Masjid Ibn Abbas. Today, the library holds more than ten thousand books, along with 520 manuscripts, as well as a collection of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals.

Endowment libraries were introduced to Najd in the twentieth century, established by princes of Al Saud family and scholars from the descendants of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulwahhab. The first endowment library appeared in 1944, founded by Prince Musaid Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, who dedicated a wing of his palace to it and made it open to the public. In 1952, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, then crown prince, ordered the creation of the Saudi Riyadh Public Library, which was placed under the supervision of the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta. In Unayzah, the first public endowment library, Sheikh Abdulrahman Bin Saadi Library, was established in 1939. This was followed by the founding of the Cultural Library in 1955, as well as the Sheikh Hammoud Bin Hussein al-Shaghdali Library in Hail.

Endowment libraries were initially administratively linked to the Directorate of Public Endowment. Later, the responsibility for overseeing them was transferred to the Ministry of Hajj and Endowment (subsequently split into the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, with the endowment functions removed from the latter's title). In 1961, the Saudi Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. 224, assigning the Ministry of Knowledge (now the Ministry of Education) to inspect these libraries. The ministry was tasked with ensuring that the libraries maintained proper indexes of their book collections, identifying any shortages, and submitting reports on their condition, along with recommendations for improvements Today, all endowment libraries are under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries.