Yaqut al-Hamawi's 'Mu'jam al-Udaba',' also known as 'Irshad al-Arīb ilá Ma'rifat al-Adīb' (Guidance of the Intelligent to the Knowledge of the Literati), is a landmark biographical dictionary from the early 13th century. This invaluable compendium meticulously documents the lives and works of thousands of scholars, poets, philologists, and historians who shaped the intellectual landscape of the Islamic world. It provides rich details on their lineage, education, careers, and literary contributions, often preserving fragments of works that would otherwise be lost, making it an indispensable primary source for researchers.