JAWI : Journal of Southeast Asia Islamic Contemporary Issues
Vol 8 No 2 (2025): Islam, Social Dynamics, and Modernity

Bayt al-Hikmah: A Prototype of the Classical Islamic Library and a Model for Modern Islamic Digital Libraries

Parangu, Reza Nawafella Alya (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Dec 2025

Abstract

This article examines Bayt al-Hikmah as a prototype of the scientific library in classical Islamic civilization by highlighting its institutional characteristics and its relevance for the development of contemporary Islamic digital libraries. The study employs a qualitative method with a historical-institutional analytical approach through library research, drawing on primary sources such as al-Fihrist and secondary literature in Islamic history and library science using thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that Bayt al-Hikmah functioned not only as a translation center but also as a research institution, a library, and a cross-cultural scholarly forum that integrated the production, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge. Librarians played significant roles in cataloguing, transliteration, and manuscript conservation, which, from a modern perspective, reflect early forms of knowledge management and the functions of knowledge brokers. The study further identifies institutional features such as openness, multidisciplinarity, and state-supported scholarly collaboration as key elements shaping the intellectual legacy of Bayt al-Hikmah. The research concludes that Bayt al-Hikmah represents an early knowledge ecosystem whose principles remain highly relevant for the development of Islamic digital libraries, particularly in the areas of open access, digital preservation, and information management.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

jawi

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

JAWI [ISSN 2622-5522, e-ISSN 2622-5530] is a journal published by UIN Raden Intan Lampung, INDONESIA. JAWI is published twice a year. JAWI focuses on an aspect related to Islamic Studies in Southeast Asian context, with special reference to culture, politics, society, economy, and history. JAWI is ...