Al-Azraqi

Al-Azraqi (Arabic: الأزرقي) refers to a family of historians and scholars from Mecca, most notably Abū al-Walīd Muḥammad ibn ʻAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Walīd al-Azraqī (d. 858 CE/244 AH), the author of Akhbār Makkah (أخبار مكة), or Chronicles of Mecca. This book is a significant source of information about the history and topography of Mecca, including the Kaaba, the sacred mosque, and other important sites, from pre-Islamic times to the 9th century CE.

Al-Azraqi’s Akhbār Makkah draws on oral traditions, earlier historical accounts, and the author's own observations, providing valuable insights into the social, religious, and economic life of Mecca during that period. The work is particularly important for its detailed descriptions of the architectural development of the Kaaba and the surrounding mosque throughout history, as well as its accounts of the rituals and customs associated with the Hajj pilgrimage.

While the term "Al-Azraqi" primarily refers to Abū al-Walīd Muḥammad ibn ʻAbd Allāh, it can also refer to other members of his family who were involved in scholarly pursuits or contributed to the preservation of Meccan history. The family name "Al-Azraqi" became synonymous with expertise on the history and traditions of Mecca.