The Fatimid empire flourished from the early 10th into the second half of the 12th century. Under the enlightened rule of this dynasty, Fatimid caliphs governed, first from North Africa and later from Cairo a city founded by them a domain extending from Arabia in the east to present-day Morocco in the west. As living imams of the Ismaili branch of Shi平ism, they exercised dual authority over both spiritual and secular realms.
The sermon in Arabic the 一鞄顎畊b温A sermon delivered in a mosque at Friday prayers. was (and continues to be) a standard feature of Islamic congregational observance. Fatimid caliphs took quite seriously and seldom missed the duty to deliver it on the twice-yearly occasion of the festivals of the breaking of the fast and of sacrifice. Eventually they added Friday sermons for the month of Rama畍n. But, from all such occasions, we have precious few examples. Still those we have allow us to appreciate the event and the words uttered on it. This book provides unique access to them by presenting the Arabic originals with complete English translations. In addition, it includes a history of the Fatimid 一鞄顎畊b温 what was said, by whom and on what occasions and an analysis of its themes and rhetorical strategies.
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Part One: Introductions
Chapter 1: A History of the Fatimid 悪鞄顎畊b温
A Fatimid 一鞄顎畊b温 in Abbasid Iraq. 悪鞄顎畊b温s and 一鞄偵畊i恢s. Festival 一鞄顎畊b温s by the Fatimid caliphs. Fatimid 一鞄顎畊b温s in North Africa. 悪鞄顎畊b温s by al-Man畊Ｅr and al-Mu平izz. The first Fatimid 一鞄顎畊b温s in Egypt. 悪鞄顎畊b温s by al-平Az朝z, al-畍つkim, and al-畉hir. The testimony of al-Musabbi畍ツ. The 一鞄顎畊b温 from al-Mustan畊ir to al-mir. 悪鞄顎畊b温s from the reign of al-畍つfi畉 onward. The eyewitness testimony of Ibn al-Tuwayr. The last 一鞄顎畊b温.
Chapter 2: Rhetoric and Themes in the Surviving 一鞄顎畊b温s
The audience. Double meanings for different audiences. The address to God: the 一鞄顎畊b温 as a prayer. Quranic imagery and language. Praising God. Mu畍ammad as grandfather. 平Al朝 as father. The Companions of the Cloak (a畊ａ献b al-kis幣). F畊ima as mother. Al-畍asan and al-畍usayn. The imams from al-畍usayn to al-Mahd朝. The imams from al-Mahd朝 onward. The name of the dynasty. Enemies. Death and loss: fathers and imams. Pilgrimage. Miscellaneous themes.
Part two: The 悪鞄顎畊b温s
1. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Q幣im:
On the 平暢d al-fi畊r, 302 (19 April 915) at Alexandria
2. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Q幣im:
Rajab 333 (March 945). During the siege of al-Mahdiyya. Read by al-Marwadh朝
3. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
As 敬温鉛朝Saint, friend of God, or patron. In a political context the terms can also mean administrator or ruler (pl. awliy幣). 鉛庄l-平温鞄糸 (Heir-apparent) on the 平暢d al-fi畊r, 334 (6 May 946) at al-Mahdiyya
4. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
On Friday 14 珂顎畍a姻姻温馨First month of the Islamic lunar calendar, often referred to as the ‘month of mourning’ because of the death of Imam Husayn b. ‘Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680. 335 (16 August 946). Read by Ja平far b. 平Al朝, the Chamberlain, in the Mosque of QayrawanSee Kairouan
5. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
On the 平暢d al-fi畊r, 335 (25 April 947). During the siege of Ab笛 Yaz朝d at Kiyana
6. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
On the 平暢d al-a畍畍ツ, 335 (2 July 947). During the siege of Ab笛 Yaz朝d at Kiyana
7. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
On the 平暢d al-fi畊r, 336 (14 April 948) at al-Mahdiyya
8. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Man畊Ｅr:
On the 平暢d al-nahr, 336 (21 June 948) at al-Mahdiyya
9. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Mu平izz:
On the 平暢d al-nahr, 341 (28 April 953) at al-Man畊Ｅriyya
10. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-Mu平izz
11. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of Qirwash:
On 4 珂顎畍a姻姻温馨 401 (18 August 1010) at Maw畊il
12. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-mir:
On a Friday, during Ramadan
13. 悪鞄顎畊b温 of al-mir:
On the 平暢d al-fi畊r
Glossary
Bibliography
English Index
Arabic Index
Arabic Texts
Paul E. Walker is a historian of ideas with special interests in Fatimid history and Ismaili thought. He is currently a research associate in the Department of Near Eastern Languages at the University of Chicago. His previous books include: Early Philosophical Shiism (1993), Ab笛 Ya平q笛b al-Sijistn朝: Intellectual Missionary (1996), 畍am朝d al-D朝n al-Kirmn朝: Ismaili Thought in the Age of al-畍つkim (1999) and Exploring an Islamic Empire: Fatimid History and its Sources (2002), and with Wilferd Madelung, The Advent of the FatimidsMajor Muslim dynasty of Ismaili caliphs in North Africa (from 909) and later in Egypt (9731171) More: A Contemporary Shii Witness (2000).