Hakim Muhammad Saeed once stated that “It has been my goal to prepare Pakistani youth for the difficulties of the future. I would like to see the youth studying at our campuses to develop the qualities of devotion, love, determination and services to mankind.”
With this in mind, he established Madinat-al-Hikmah, the “city of wisdom”, which includes the establishment of Hamdard Laboratories in 1948 and Hamdard University that was founded in 1985. Bait-al-Hikmah (the Library) is also a constituent part of Madinat-al-Hikmah. This is one of the biggest and best-stocked libraries in Pakistan, which has historical books that are not available anywhere in the world.
“Bait-al-Hikmah has some of the rare manuscripts in its possession,” Malahat Kalim Shirvani, Director of the library, told MM News during the visit to the establishment. “Even if some other libraries have copies of these manuscripts, it’s safe to say that they are not in as good a condition as ours.”
This library was Hakim Muhammad Saeed’s dream whose personal works number around 200 books, journals, broadcasts and series on everything from religion, history, natural medicine, philosophy, human development, ethics, Islam and Pakistan, she added.
Bait al-Hikmah library reflects the memory of the first Bait al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) established in Baghdad by Khalifa Abu Jafar al-Mansur between 135 and 158 A.H (714–737 CE). Later it was developed by Caliph Harun al-Rashid and Caliph Mamoon Rashid during the 14th century.
Hakim Muhammad Saeed, who had a strong attachment to his Islamic principles and a desire for a return to the golden age of Muslims, laid the groundwork for Bait-al-Hikmah to achieve his goal. Opened in December 1989, it is named after the library of the famous House of Wisdom in Baghdad.
“Some of our best collection includes the manuscripts of the Holy Quran,” Ms Shirvani said “Basically, this library was established as a research center for scholars. So, the institution takes care of any scholar that comes here.”
This library became the main university library following the establishment of Hamdard University in 1985. As a result, this library has established itself as a valuable resource for those looking for higher education.
She said that hundreds of thousands worth of books are bought for the library every year, including books on various subjects, required by the faculty students.
“Many visitors from outside Pakistan visit the library to conduct research, however we do not permit books to leave the property without membership,” Ms. Shirvani added “The library will soon have an online version as well.”
