Kashshaf Istilah al-Funun wa-al-'Ulum al-Islamiyya (3 Volume Set) كشاف اصطلاحات الفنون والعلوم الاسلامية

Kashshaf Istilahat al-Funun wa al-'Ulum (كشاف اصطلاحات الفنون والعلوم) by Muhammad ibn Ali al-Tahanawi (d. c. 1158 AH) is one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of technical terminology in the Islamic intellectual tradition. Arranged alphabetically, it defines thousands of specialized terms from fiqh, usul al-fiqh, tafsir, hadith, aqidah, Arabic grammar, balaghah, tasawwuf, logic, philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and other sciences. For major concepts, al-Tahanawi explains their linguistic meanings, technical definitions across different scholarly disciplines, and historical usage, making this work an indispensable reference for students, researchers, and readers of classical Islamic texts.

The Author

Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn Qāḍī Muḥammad Ḥāmid al-Tahānawī (died around 1158 AH / 1745 CE) was an Indian Muslim scholar of the Hanafi school from Thana Bhawan (in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India). He was a master of both the rational sciences (ma’qul) and traditional sciences (manqul). He is best remembered for this masterpiece, which remains an indispensable tool for researchers, historians, and students of classical Islamic sciences.

This Edition

This Dar Sader edition reproduces the text in three volumes with durable binding and clear white paper. However, it is a basic photographic reprint that lacks a copyright page, table of contents, and indexes. The typography is relatively small and less visually appealing than modern editions. Rather than ending at natural textual breaks, volumes one and two conclude mid-sentence, with the text continuing directly into the following volume. While the binding is sturdy, the edition prioritizes preserving the complete text over reader-friendly presentation.

Is This For You?

This is a faithful photographic replica of a historic master-print. While it lacks the visual elegance, modern typesetting, and logical volume-breaks of modern editions, it contains the complete, unabridged text of al-Tahānawī’s masterpiece. For serious research, it remains fully functional once you get used to its archaic layout.