Sheikh Sultan’s landmark study vindicates Ibn Majid’s place in maritime history

Historic manuscripts and rare documents, on display until July 5, illuminate Ibn Majid’s pivotal role in global seafaring and astronomical sciences.

The House of Wisdom in Sharjah is currently hosting the "Chapters of Islamic Art: Travelogues" exhibition, running until July 5, where the life and enduring legacy of the legendary Arab navigator and geographer Ahmad Ibn Majid take centre stage. Through rare manuscripts and historic documents, the exhibition offers fresh insights into his groundbreaking contributions to maritime and astronomical sciences, shedding new light on the Arab world’s role in shaping global navigation.

One of the exhibition’s highlights is A Memorandum for Historians on the Innocence of Ibn Majid by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This significant scholarly work draws on a rare manuscript detailing Vasco da Gama’s 1497 voyage, housed in Porto’s public library, to definitively refute longstanding claims that Ibn Majid aided the Portuguese in reaching India. Featuring a Portuguese text translation and comprehensive analysis, the 87-page document reshapes historical narratives and restores Ibn Majid’s reputation as an independent Arab maritime pioneer.

Also on display is Ibn Majid’s own manuscript, A Collection of Treatises on Marine Science, preserved at the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia. This invaluable work compiles his scientific treatises, reflecting his sophisticated understanding of navigation, ship movement, cartography, and his pioneering use of navigational instruments such as the compass and astrolabe.

Born in Julfar (modern-day Ras Al Khaimah) into a family of skilled seafarers, Ibn Majid spent over four decades mastering the waters of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea. His legacy, recorded in treatises, poetry, and prose, revolutionized navigation and became an essential reference for sailors across the globe. His influence extended well beyond the Arab world, significantly shaping maritime routes and even informing European, particularly Portuguese, navigation during the Renaissance.