Historical profile of Dar al-Ilm, also known as Dar al-Hikma, founded in Cairo in 1005 CE by the Fatimid imam-caliph al-Hakim.
909—1171
Foundation
A house devoted to knowledge
Dar al-Ilm, also known as Dar al-Hikma (House of Wisdom), was established in Cairo in 1005 CE by the Fatimid imam-caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. It included a substantial library and facilities for reading and scholarly discussion.
Scholarship
A meeting place for diverse disciplines
The Institute of Ismaili Studies describes the institution as a place where specialists in hadith, grammar, law, astronomy, logic and mathematics met. It is an example of the intellectual patronage associated with the Fatimid court.
Its history should be researched alongside other Fatimid libraries and educational settings rather than presented as the only centre of learning in that period.
These institutional and scholarly references support the dates and claims on this page. Source descriptions distinguish documented facts from historical interpretation.