Nobakht Ahvazi (Persian: نوبخت اهوازى), also spelled Naubakht Ahvaz and Naubakht, along with his sons were astrologers from Ahvaz (in the present-day Khuzestan Province, Iran) who lived in the 8th and 9th centuries AD.
Nobakht was particularly famous for having led a group of astrologers who picked an auspicious electional chart for the founding of Baghdad. His family also helped design the city. Originally Zoroastrians,[1] Nobakht and his sons converted to Islam and were employed as Pahlavi translators of the Abbasid court.
Nawbakht was the most prominent among 'Abbasid caliph al-Mansur's court astrologers. He rose to this position after having successfully predicted al-Mansur's rise to power as a caliph.[2] There were other astrologers retained at the court, including Mashallah (d. ca. 199/815 or 204/820) who aided Nawbakht in his analysis of the stars in determining ”the most auspicious date and time for the foundation of the new capital, the round city of Madīnat al-Salām (“The City of Peace”)”, historically known as Baghdad.[2]
While part of al-Mansur’s court, Nawbakht is said to have correctly predicted the caliph’s victory over Ibrahim b. ‘Abdallah who, along with his brother, had rebelled against the ‘Abbasid rule.[3] In addition to al-Mansur’s victory, Nawbakht predicted the death of Ibrahim as well. Reportedly, Nawbakht was so confident in the accuracy of his calculations that he volunteered to be imprisoned until the outcome of the encounter between Ibrahim and the ‘Abbasid army was reported, and agreed to being executed should he had been mistaken.[3]
It’s suspected that part of Nawbakht’s career included translating scientific works from Pahlavi into Arabic, and the Risāla fī sarāʾir aḥkām al-nujūm (“A treatise on the secrets of astrology”, an unpublished manuscript) is attributed to him although this attribution remains unconfirmed.[2][3]
Al-Mansur gifted the astrologer with 2,000 jeribs of land south of Baghdad as an eqta’ (grants of land given by a caliph in exchange for service).[3]
Descendants
In addition to being known as an influential 'Abbasid astrologer, Nawbakht is known as a father and ancestor to a very successful family under 'Abbasid rule and as part of the court - various sources refer to Nawbakht as the progenitor of a lineage of court astrologers, thus successfully elevating his family's position in the 'Abbasid court.[2][3]
According to Sean Anthony, Nawbakht’s accumulation of wealth and social status placed his family in such a position that they would go on to become notorious for patronizing and entertaining intellectuals of ‘Abbasid society.[3]
Some notable members of this family are:
Abū Sahl al-Faḍl ibn Nawbakht – Nawbakht’s immediate successor as a court astrologer for al-Mansur, Abu Sahl is known to have also worked as a translator in the Ḵezānat al-ḥekma (Treasury of wisdom) of one of al-Mansur’s successors, Hārun al-Rašid. Three of Abu Sahl’s sons, ‘Abdallah, Esma’il, and Abu’l-Abbas Fazl, all also served as court astrologers for al-Ma’mun and were patrons of the poet Abu Nowas and it was the Nawbakhti family that preserved much of his poetry.[3]
Abū Sahl Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAlī – the first of Nawbakht’s descendants that can decisively be determined as contributing to Shi’ite doctrine. Abu Sahl was a prominent theologian of Imami Shi’ism, and while the family is known for their loyalty to and influence on Twelver Shi’ism, the family’s relationship to the sect are difficult to discern prior to Abu Sahl’s contributions.[3]
al-Ḥasan ibn Mūsā – nephew of Abu Sahl, also a Shi’ite theologian as well as a philosopher and astronomer.[3]
Khandan-i Naubakhti, by Abbas Iqbal, Tehran, 1933, pp 2–3 & 13.
Islamic Science and Engineering, by Donald Hill, p. 10.
January 04, 2023
naubakht, nobakht, ahvazi, persian, نوبخت, اهوازى, also, spelled, ahvaz, along, with, sons, were, astrologers, from, ahvaz, present, khuzestan, province, iran, lived, centuries, nobakht, particularly, famous, having, group, astrologers, picked, auspicious, ele. Nobakht Ahvazi Persian نوبخت اهوازى also spelled Naubakht Ahvaz and Naubakht along with his sons were astrologers from Ahvaz in the present day Khuzestan Province Iran who lived in the 8th and 9th centuries AD Nobakht was particularly famous for having led a group of astrologers who picked an auspicious electional chart for the founding of Baghdad His family also helped design the city Originally Zoroastrians 1 Nobakht and his sons converted to Islam and were employed as Pahlavi translators of the Abbasid court Contents 1 Life as a court astrologer 2 Descendants 3 References 4 SourcesLife as a court astrologer EditNawbakht was the most prominent among Abbasid caliph al Mansur s court astrologers He rose to this position after having successfully predicted al Mansur s rise to power as a caliph 2 There were other astrologers retained at the court including Mashallah d ca 199 815 or 204 820 who aided Nawbakht in his analysis of the stars in determining the most auspicious date and time for the foundation of the new capital the round city of Madinat al Salam The City of Peace historically known as Baghdad 2 While part of al Mansur s court Nawbakht is said to have correctly predicted the caliph s victory over Ibrahim b Abdallah who along with his brother had rebelled against the Abbasid rule 3 In addition to al Mansur s victory Nawbakht predicted the death of Ibrahim as well Reportedly Nawbakht was so confident in the accuracy of his calculations that he volunteered to be imprisoned until the outcome of the encounter between Ibrahim and the Abbasid army was reported and agreed to being executed should he had been mistaken 3 It s suspected that part of Nawbakht s career included translating scientific works from Pahlavi into Arabic and the Risala fi saraʾir aḥkam al nujum A treatise on the secrets of astrology an unpublished manuscript is attributed to him although this attribution remains unconfirmed 2 3 Al Mansur gifted the astrologer with 2 000 jeribs of land south of Baghdad as an eqta grants of land given by a caliph in exchange for service 3 Descendants EditIn addition to being known as an influential Abbasid astrologer Nawbakht is known as a father and ancestor to a very successful family under Abbasid rule and as part of the court various sources refer to Nawbakht as the progenitor of a lineage of court astrologers thus successfully elevating his family s position in the Abbasid court 2 3 According to Sean Anthony Nawbakht s accumulation of wealth and social status placed his family in such a position that they would go on to become notorious for patronizing and entertaining intellectuals of Abbasid society 3 Some notable members of this family are Abu Sahl al Faḍl ibn Nawbakht Nawbakht s immediate successor as a court astrologer for al Mansur Abu Sahl is known to have also worked as a translator in the Ḵezanat al ḥekma Treasury of wisdom of one of al Mansur s successors Harun al Rasid Three of Abu Sahl s sons Abdallah Esma il and Abu l Abbas Fazl all also served as court astrologers for al Ma mun and were patrons of the poet Abu Nowas and it was the Nawbakhti family that preserved much of his poetry 3 Abu Sahl Ismaʿil ibn ʿAli the first of Nawbakht s descendants that can decisively be determined as contributing to Shi ite doctrine Abu Sahl was a prominent theologian of Imami Shi ism and while the family is known for their loyalty to and influence on Twelver Shi ism the family s relationship to the sect are difficult to discern prior to Abu Sahl s contributions 3 al Ḥasan ibn Musa nephew of Abu Sahl also a Shi ite theologian as well as a philosopher and astronomer 3 Abu l Qasem Ḥosayn ibn Ruḥ ibn Abi Baḥr Nawbaḵti perhaps the most politically prominent member of the Nawbakhti family ibn Ruh became the third safir or deputy of the twelfth Imam 3 References Edit Islam s Contribution to Science By Husain Muzzafar S Muzaffar Husain pg 31 a b c d Labarta Ana Nawbakht in Encyclopaedia of Islam THREE Edited by Kate Fleet Gudrun Kramer Denis Matringe John Nawas Everett Rowson Consulted online on 15 November 2020 a b c d e f g h i j Anthony Sean Nawbakti Family in Encyclopaedia Iranica online edition 2013 available at https iranicaonline org articles nawbakti familySources EditLabarta Ana 2021 Nawbakht In Fleet Kate Kramer Gudrun Matringe Denis Nawas John Rowson Everett eds Encyclopaedia of Islam THREE Brill Online ISSN 1873 9830 The Golden Age of Persia by Richard Nelson Frye p 163 Khandan i Naubakhti by Abbas Iqbal Tehran 1933 pp 2 3 amp 13 Islamic Science and Engineering by Donald Hill p 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Naubakht amp oldid 1123668269, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
