An Investigation of the Role of Tripoli's Science House (Dar al-Ilm) in Dynamism of Shiite Religion under Bani Ammar

In the later half of the fifth century AH, the emergence of political and economic crises in Fatimid government and the Fatimids’ struggles with Saljuqids in Syria led to the establishment of local governments in that region. One of the most prominent local governments was the Twelver Shiite State of Bani Ammar in Tripoli. Bani Ammar dynasty made a lot of efforts to start economic development and cultural advancement in that city, and the establishment of a Science House (Dar al-Ilm) in Tripoli by that dynasty had a great role in diffusing Islamic culture and civilization and transferring that culture to Europe. The Science House was one of the most affluent libraries of Islamic world in fifth century. Under that dynasty, due to the scientific attraction of Tripoli, the scientists and scholars would travel to that region from different parts of the world, serving the rulers of Bani Ammar dynasty. The founders of that Science House, inspired by other Shiite governments, were influential in prosperity and dynamism of Shiism in Syria region. Ensuing the fall of that dynasty by Crusaders in the early sixth century, the library of the Science House was put on fire. The present study was conducted using the library sources, and deals with the cultural conditions of Tripoli and the formation of Science House of that city, using the primary sources.