Al-Hiti

Al-Hiti, an Egyptian-Iraqi chronicler, was a prominent figure in the field of history, particularly in the context of Karaite Jewish scholarship. Born in Hīt, Iraq, a town located on the Euphrates River approximately thirty leagues west of Baghdad, he went on to become a notable chronicler of his time. Although his full identity is not certain, he is believed by some scholars to be identical with David ben Sa'adel ben Joseph, a writer referenced in historical manuscripts.

Al-Hiti's most significant contribution to the field of history is his chronicle, which provides a comprehensive record of Karaite scholars and their works up to the time of Samuel al-Maghrabi. Despite some inaccuracies, his work offers valuable insights into the lives and contributions of well-known Karaite scholars, as well as introducing a number of previously unknown figures. The chronicle, published by Margoliouth from a fragment discovered in the Cairo Genizah, remains an important resource for understanding the history of Karaite Jewish scholarship during the medieval period.