The Relationship of Endowment Libraries in the Time of Rasulid State: Private Libraries a Case-in-Point

Abstract

Endowment libraries are prominent educational institutions which have played a major role in disseminating culture and science in Islamic countries along ages. So, all Muslims classes bought books since the beginning of Islam and editing science, making massive efforts in collecting books. In turn, the libraries increased, having various purposes; the case that spread libraries in schools, mosques, and others open institutions. For this reason,  the society, with its various categories, competed to endow many books at these institutions to increase their books and provide them with all precious information and help students accordingly. This proved their awareness of the importance of libraries in developing the civilized and cultural formation of both individuals and society alike. Therefore, this study aimed to show the most important special libraries in the time of Rasulid State, using a historical-descriptive analysis. The study revealed a number of findings; most notably:  the Rasulid time was the most prosperous time Yemen went through along history; it showed the extent of the interest of the Sultans of Bani Rasul, their ministers and notables in collecting and acquiring books; many charitable and benevolent people preceded by stopping their private libraries after their death in mosques and schools, so, students could benefit from them, including the sciences and knowledge they contain; and endowments and purchases were the most important resources that developed of special and public libraries.