Muʿāwiya, ʿAbd al-Malik, and the Falcon of Quraysh
This study explores the potential of using one of the less-studied textual sources for the caliphal period in al-Andalus, namely, the ʿIqd al-farīd by Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih (d. 940), for an investigation of the Western Umayyad discourse of legitimacy. It focuses therein the narrative portrayals of the Eas...
| Subtitles: | "Thematic Focus: The Umayyads from West to East: New Perspectives" |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
De Gruyter
2023
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| In: |
Der Islam
Year: 2023, Volume: 100, Issue: 2, Pages: 484-503 |
| Further subjects: | B
Succession
B Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih B ʿAbd al-Malik B fitna B Muʿāwiya B maqātil |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This study explores the potential of using one of the less-studied textual sources for the caliphal period in al-Andalus, namely, the ʿIqd al-farīd by Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih (d. 940), for an investigation of the Western Umayyad discourse of legitimacy. It focuses therein the narrative portrayals of the Eastern caliphs Muʿāwiya and ʿAbd al-Malik, generally seen as models of strong and successful Umayyad leadership, and analyzes which qualities are highlighted and downsized, of them and their opponents. A close reading of selected passages shows that the result is of high complexity and ambivalence. In literalized anecdotes peppered with sayings, poems, and foreboding dreams, the narratives feature dramatic, violent scenes and tragic plots, which emphasize the human tragedy of the protagonists in their fight for power and authority in the Islamic community. The study proposes to interpret them in the framework of a particular Andalusī anxiety ("sentiment of precarity"), which saw the Umayyad dynasty and its caliphal credentials as central warrants of unity and Muslim permanence on the peninsula. |
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| ISSN: | 1613-0928 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Der Islam
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1515/islam-2023-0025 |