Description
Book SynopsisThe relationship between the workings of memory and the formation of culture is intriguingly close in the world of medieval Islam. In this book, distinguished contributors explore broad-ranging themes relating to memory, memorisation, memorialising or commemorating in a variety of historical, legal, literary and architectural contexts. Abbas Amanat, Irene Bierman, Elton Daniel, George Makdisi, Andrew Newman, Roy Mottahedeh, Ismail K. Poonawala and Paul E. Walker examine lists and maps as memory aids, the transmission of knowledge and traditions from medieval to early-modern times, the application of medieval notions of law and statecraft and the commemoration of individuals, civilisations and dynasties in historical and literary works, on coinage and in monumental forms. This is a fascinatingly original perspective on a topic which will engage scholars of Islamic history and sociology, as well as cultural history and the history of ideas.
Trade ReviewBOEKBESPREKINGEN-ISLAM 'The contributions are of high academic standing, and the volume is a must for any library collection on Islamic history.' MELA NOTES 'the text as a whole is well produced, well organized, and user-friendly, certain to be of interest to both specialists and students alike.'
Table of ContentsList of Tables and Figures x Preface xi List of Abbreviations xiii List of Contributors xiv 1. Introduction Josef W.Meri 1 2. Bibliography of the Works of Wilferd Madelung Farhad Daftary 5 Part 1 The Transmission of Knowledge 3. Universities: Past and Present George Makdisi 43 4. The ijA za from 'Abd AllA h b. SA lih al-SamA hA--jA-- to NA sir al-JA rudA-- al-QatA--fA--: A Source for the Twelver Shi'i Scholarly Tradition of Bahrayn Sabine Schmidtke 64 5. Abul-Husayn al-BasrA-- on Gods Volition Martin J.McDermott 86 6. Between Qumm and the West: The Occultation According to al-KulaynA-- and al-KA tib al-Nu'mA nA-- Andrew J.Newman 94 7. Memory and Maps Emilie Savage-Smith 109 8. Abu HayyA n al-TawhA--dA--: A Sunni Voice in the Shi'i Century WadA d al-QA dA-- 128 Part 2 Memorializing,Remembering and Forgetting 9.Bal'amA--s Account of Early Islamic History Elton L. Daniel 163 10. Say It Again and Make Me Your Slave: Notes on al-DaylamA--s Seventh Sign of Mans Love for God Joseph Norment Bell 190 11. Lists and Memory: Ibn Qutayba and Muhammad b. HabA--b Julia Bray 210 12. A Jonah Theme in the Biography of Ibn TAZmart David J. Wasserstein 232 13. Meadow of the Martyrs :KA shifA-- s Persianization of the Shi'i Martyrdom Narrative in the Late TA--mAZrid Herat Abbas Amanat 250 Part 3 Commemorating Rulers, Dynasties and Conquests 14. KhurA sA nA-- Revolutionaries and al-MahdA--s Title Michael L.Bates 279 15. ShA hA nshA h and al-Malik al-Mu'ayyad : The Legitimation of Power in SA mA nid and BAZyid Iran Luke Treadwell 318 16.The Beginning of the Ismaili Da'wa and the Establishment of the Fatimid Dynasty as Commemorated by al-QA dA-- al-Nu'mA n Ismail K. Poonawala 338 17. Purloined Symbols of the Past: The Theft of Souvenirs and Sacred Relics in the Rivalry between the Abbasids and Fatimids Paul E. Walker 364 18. Conceptions of Authority and the Transition of Shi'ism from Sectarian to National Religion in Iran SaAZd Amir Arjomand 388 19. 'UmA ras Poetical Views of ShA war, DirghA m, ShA--rkAZh and SalA h al-DA--n as Viziers of the Fatimid Caliphs Pieter Smoor 410 Selected Bibliography 433 Index 449
