Inside The Immaculate Portal: A History From Early Fatimid Archives : A New Edition And English Translation Of Manṣūr Al-ʻazīzī Al-jawdharī's Biography Of Al-ustādh Jawdhar, The Sīrat Al-ustādh Jawdhar Sīrat Al-ustādh Jawdhar Sīrat Al-ustādh Jawdhar. Engl

"I.B.Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies Hamid Haji is a specialist in Fatimid literature. He studied at the Sorbonne and is currently a Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies. His publications include Founding the Fatimid State: The Rise of an Early Islamic Empire (London, 2006)."--Bloomsbury publishing Hamid Haji Is A Specialist In Fatimid Literature. He Studied At The Sorbonne And Is Currently A Research Associate At The Institute Of Ismaili Studies. His Publications Include Founding The Fatimid State: The Rise Of An Early Islamic Empire (london, 2006).--publisher's Website. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1.jawdhar Begins To Serve Al-mandi -- 2.jawdhar Acquires Al-mandi's Blessing -- 3.jawdhar Left In Charge Of Al-qa'im's Palace -- 4.jawdhar Becomes Official At The Treasury -- 5.jawdhar Made Privy To Al-mansur's Designation As Heir Apparent -- 6.a Letter From Al-mansur, Heir Apparent, To Jawdhar -- 7.the First Written Directive From Al-qa'im To Jawdhar -- 8.al-qa'im Shuns Forbidden Goods -- 9.al-qa'im's Advice To Al-mansur Regarding Jawdhar -- 10.jawdhar Left To Govern The Entire Country -- 11.letter Of Al-mansur Proclaiming His Victory Over Abu Yazid -- 12.letter Of Al-mansur Announcing The Death Of Al-qa'im -- 13.letter Of Al-mansur Concerning Money That Jawdhar Had Offered To Him -- 14.letter Of Al-mansur To Jawdhar -- 15.the Defeat Of Abu Yazid Makhlad B. Kaydad -- 16.jawdhar Is Freed From Bondage And Receives His Honorific Title -- 17.jawdhar's Name Is Inscribed On Embroidered Garments And Carpets -- 18.al-mansur Honours Jawdhar -- 19.al-mansur's Treasure Stores Entrusted To Jawdhar -- 20.sermon Of Al-qa'im Delivered By Al-marwazi -- 21.sermon Of Al-mansur Announcing The Death Of Al Qa'im -- 22.al-mansur Gifts Newly Minted Coins To Jawdhar -- 23.letter Of Al-mansur Concerning A Gift For The Byzantine Emperor -- 24.letter Of Al-mansur Concerning The Inhabitants Of The Palace -- 25.another Letter Concerning The Inhabitants Of The Palace -- 26.letter From Al-mansur Concerning His Uncles And Brothers -- 27.letter Of Al-mansur Concerning Certain Trouble-makers -- 28.letter Of Al-mansur Regarding The Rebels Of Sicily -- 29.last Letter Of Al-mansur To Jawdhar -- 30.letters Of Al-mu'izz Informing Jawdhar Of The Death Of Al-mansur -- 31.letter Of Al-mu'izz In Reply To A Request That Jawdhar Had Made To Him -- 32.sermon Of Al-mu'izz Announcing The Death Of Al-mansur -- 33.a Note From Jawdhar To Al-mu'izz And The Latter's Reply -- 1.on The Transportation Of Barley To Sicily -- 2.al-mu'izz's Instructions To Have A Prayer Mat Made For A Slav -- 3.jawdhar's Letter About The Conduct Of A Slav, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 4.disagreement Between The Treasury Director And An Official Of The Mint -- 5.al-mu'izz's Reply To A Personal Note From Jawdhar -- 6.horses Gifted By Jawdhar To The Banu Abi Al-husayn Al-kalbi -- 7.jawdhar's Offer Of Money To Al-mu'izz, And The Latter's Reply -- 8.another Personal Note From Jawdhar Regarding His Plea, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 9.a Governor's Complaint Against Some Berbers -- 10.jawdhar Seeks Permission To Accept A Gift From The Governor Of Barqa, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 11.jawdhar's Request For A Pass To Cover Expenses For The Upkeep Of Camels, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 12.jawdhar's Note About A Pledge By A Slav To Pay For Houses Administered By Him, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 13.on Litigation About Pastures -- 14.another Request From Jawdhar, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 15.jawdhar's Request Regarding A Son Of His Secretary, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 16.on Materials For Shipbuilding -- 17.interception Of Letters Of Two Sons Of Qasim, Son Of Al-qa'im, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 18.jawdhar's Complaint About A Governor, And Al-mu'izz's Instructions To The Commander Jawhar -- 19.on Surveillance Of Correspondence Between Some Members Of The Fatimid Family -- 20.abu 'abd Allah, Son Of Al-qa'im, Forbidden To Engage In Wailing -- 21.jawdhar Authorised To Have Saman Mats Made For Himself -- 22.al-mu'izz Attempts To Reconcile Ja'far B. 'ali B. Hamdun And Yasuf B. Ziri -- 23.the Director Of The Naval Storehouses Forbidden To Store Supplies In A Mosque -- 24.order To Expedite The Purchase Of Maritime Provisions -- 25.another Request From Jawdhar, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 26.a Shroud For An Official's Son -- 27.condolences For The Death Of A Servant -- 28.order To Execute Captains Of Ships Which Left For Sicily In Breach Of Instructions -- 29.jawdhar's Reminder Regarding His Request, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 30.jawdhar's Complaint About A Slav Sent To Procure Slaves For The Palace, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 31.jawdhar's Note Concerning Ahmad, Son Of Al-mahdi, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 32.jawdhar's Reminder Concerning His Request, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 33.another Note Of Jawdhar Concerning His Request, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 34.jawdhar's Request For An Order To Expedite Maritime Supplies, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 35.jawdhar's Indisposition, And Al-mu'izz's Concern For Jawdhar's Health -- 36.rumours That Jawdhar Would Be Appointed To Govern Ifriqiya After Al-mu'izz's Departure For Egypt -- 37.concerning Permits For Officials Travelling To Egypt -- 38.al-mu'izz Sends To Jawdhar Spring Water And Fatimid Dinars Minted In Egypt -- 39.jawdhar's Illness, His Renewed Appeal, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 40.on The Building Of A Wall Around Zawila -- 41.jawdhar's Reminder Regarding His Request -- 42.al-mu'izz Gives Jawdhar Leggings Worn By Al-mansur And Himself -- 43.jawdhar's Note Regarding The Salary Of His Protégé, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 44.jawdhar's Concern For Al-mu'izz's Health, And The Latter's Reply -- 45.complaint About The Commissioner Of Al-mandiyya, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 46.concerning Disagreements Between Some Members Of The Kalbi Family -- 47.a Shroud For An Employee Of The Maritime Administration -- 48.the Use Of Revenues From The Domains Of Muzaffar The Slav -- 49.regarding A Letter From The Governor Of Sicily, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 50.concerning A Drunken Secretary -- 51.letter From The Governor Of Tripoli About Expenditure For The Fleet, And Al-mu'zz's Reply -- 52.jawdhar's Offer To Provide Wood For Shipbuilding, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 53.jawdhar's Request Concerning The Son Of A Secretary To Receive His Father's Emoluments -- 54.prince Tamim's Companionship With Tahir, Son Of Ahmad B. Al-hasan -- 55.al-mu'izz Pays Tribute To A Secretary After His Death -- 56.al-mu'izz Accepts A Gift Of Wood From Jawdhar -- 57.a Land Dispute Between Jawdhar's Agent And A Man Of The Kutama -- 58.jawhar's Request Relating To Inheritance And Purchase Of Property -- 59.jawdhar's Complaint About Abuses Committed By A District Governor, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 60.jawdhar's Report On The Activities Of An Umayyad Agent In Al-masila, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 61.jawdhar's Wish Not To Importune Al-mu'izz -- 62.on The Release Of Muslim Prisoners From Byzantine Custody -- 63.jawdhar's Note Relating To Maritime Supplies, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 64.jawdhar's Request To Grant A Domain To A Secretary's Son, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 65.the Treatment Of Some Slaves Who Apostatised After Having Embraced Islam -- 66.on Ja'far B. Mansur Al-yaman's Financial Predicament And Al-mu'izz's Help To Him -- 67.jawdhar's Request For A Ship To Replace One That Perished, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 68.concerning The Death Of Al-hasan B. 'ali In Sicily -- 69.finances Of The Governor Ja'far B. 'ali B. Hamduan -- 70.al-mi'izz Allows Ja'far To Continue To Administer The Province In Spite Of Lower Financial Returns To The Treasury -- 71.jawdhar's Note To Al-mu'izz Defending The Interests Of The Treasury, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 72.concerning Rumours About Jawdhar's Concern For The Kalbi Brothers -- 73.concerning Alienation Between Jawdhar And Muhammad B. Al-hasan B. 'ali Al-kalbi -- 74.al-mu'izz Binds Jawdhar To Jawhar By A Pact Of Brotherhood -- 75.about An Agreement Between Jawdhar And The Governor Of Sicily Regarding His Ship's Cargo -- 76.jawdhar Asks Al-mu'izz's Permission To Gift A Precious Rug To Prince 'abd Allah -- 77.al-mu'izz Expresses Regret At The Loss Of Jawdhar's Ship Which Perished -- 78.concerning A Request To Turn A House Adjoining Dar Al-bahr Into A Storehouse For Naval. Equipment -- 79.concerning A Request By Al-hasan B. 'alli's Mother To Buy A House Near The Palace -- 80.concerning A Promise Made By Al-mu'izz To Al-hasan B. 'ammar -- 81.jawdhar's Request To Al-mu'izz For An Item Of His Clothing To Serve Him As A Shroud, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 82.jawdhar Is Received In Al-mansariyya By Al-mu'izz's Sons, Brothers And Dignitaries Of The State -- 83.ja'far B. 'ali B. Hamdun's Correspondence Regarding Raising Revenue For The Treasury, And Al-mu'izz's Reply -- 84.prince 'abd Allah Replies To Jawdhar's Letter Requesting Mules, With Al-mu'izz's Response -- 85.account Of Jawdhar's Final Journey, His Frail Condition, And His Last Meeting With Al-mu'izz At Ajdabiya -- 86.jawdhar Enters Barqa Gravely Ill; Prince 'abd Allah's Letter To Jawdhar On Al-mu'izz's Behalf; Jawdhar's Death And Burial. Edited And Translated By Hamid Haji. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-176, 1st Set) And Indexes. Text In English And Arabic. Acknowledgements -- Chronology -- Map 1: North Africa (4th/10th century) -- Map 2: Sicily (4th/10th century) -- Table 1: The Fatimids of Ifr?qiya -- Table 2: The Kalbids of Sicily -- Introduction -- Translation of the S?rat al-Ust?dh Jawdhar -- Part One: Biography -- 1 Jawdhar begins to serve al-Mahd? -- 2 Jawdhar acquires al-Mahd?'s blessing -- 3 Jawdhar left in charge of al-Q?'im's palace -- 4 Jawdhar becomes official at the Treasury -- 5 Jawdhar made privy to al-Mans?r's designation as heir apparent -- 6 A letter from al-Mans?r, heir apparent, to Jawdhar -- 7 The first written directive from al-Q?'im to Jawdhar -- 8 al-Q?'im shuns forbidden goods -- 9 al-Q?'im's advice to al-Mans?r regarding Jawdhar -- 10 Jawdhar left to govern the entire country -- 11 Letter of al-Mans?r proclaiming his victory over Ab? Yaz?d -- 12 Letter of al-Mans?r announcing the death of al-Q?'im -- 13 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning money that Jawdhar had offered to him -- 14 Letter of al-Mans?r to Jawdhar -- 15 The defeat of Ab? Yaz?d Makhlad b. Kayd?d -- 16 Jawdhar is freed from bondage and receives his honorific title -- 17 Jawdhar's name is inscribed on embroidered garments and carpets -- 18 al-Mans?r honours Jawdhar -- 19 al-Mans?r's treasure stores entrusted to Jawdhar -- 20 Sermon of al-Q?'im delivered by al-Marwaz? -- 21 Sermon of al-Mans?r announcing the death of al-Q?'im -- 22 al-Mans?r gifts newly minted coins to Jawdhar -- 23 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning a gift for the Byzantine emperor -- 24 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning the inhabitants of the palace -- 25 Another letter concerning the inhabitants of the palace -- 26 Letter from al-Mans?r concerning his uncles and brothers -- 27 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning certain troublemakers -- 28 Letter of al-Mans?r regarding the rebels of Sicily -- 29 Last letter of al-Mans?r to Jawdhar -- 30 Letters of al-Muizz informing Jawdhar of the death of al-Mans?r -- 31 Letter of al-Muizz in reply to a request that Jawdhar had made to him -- 32 Sermon of al-Muizz announcing the death of al-Mans?r -- 33 A note from Jawdhar to al-Muizz and the latter's reply -- Part Two: Documents -- 1 On the transportation of barley to Sicily -- 2 al-Muizz's instructions to have a prayer mat made for a Slav -- 3 Jawdhar's letter about the conduct of a Slav, and al-Muizz's reply -- 4 Disagreement between the Treasury director and an official of the mint -- 5 al-Muizz's reply to a personal note from Jawdhar -- 6 Horses gifted by Jawdhar to the Ban? Ab? al-Husayn al-Kalb? -- 7 Jawdhar's offer of money to al-Muizz, and the latter's reply -- 8 Another personal note from Jawdhar regarding his plea, and al-Muizz's reply -- 9 A governor's complaint against some Berbers -- 10 Jawdhar seeks permission to accept a gift from the governor of Barqa, and al-Muizz's reply -- 11 Jawdhar's request for a pass to cover expenses for the upkeep of camels, and al-Muizz's reply -- 12 Jawdhar's note about a pledge by a Slav to pay for houses administered by him, and al-Muizz's reply -- 13 On litigation about pastures -- 14 Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Muizz's reply -- 15 Jawdhar's request regarding a son of his secretary, and al-Muizz's reply -- 16 On materials for shipbuilding -- 17 Interception of letters of two sons of Q?sim, son of al-Q?'im, and al-Muizz's reply -- 18 Jawdhar's complaint about a governor, and al-Muizz's instructions to the commander Jawhar -- 19 On surveillance of correspondence between some members of the Fatimid family -- 20 Ab? Abd All?h, son of al-Q?'im, forbidden to engage in wailing -- 21 Jawdhar authorised to have s?m?n mats made for himself -- 22 al-Muizz attempts to reconcile Jafar b. Al? b. Hamd?n and Y?suf b. Z?r? -- 23 The director of the naval storehouses forbidden to store supplies in a mosque -- 24 Order to expedite the purchase of maritime provisions -- 25 Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Muizz's reply -- 26 A shroud for an official's son -- 27 Condolences for the death of a servant -- 28 Order to execute captains of ships which left for Sicily in breach of instructions -- 29 Jawdhar's reminder regarding his request, and al-Muizz's rep The author of this work, Abu Ali Mansur al-Azizi al-Jawdhari, was a private secretary of Jawdhar, a confidant of the first four Fatimid caliph-imams who ruled in North Africa (from 297/910 to 361/972). Mansur had easy access to archives held by Jawdhar, including letters he had received from the imams, and was also privy to secrets that Jawdhar confided to him. After Jawdhar's death in 362/973, the Fatimid caliph-imam al-Muizz appointed Mansur to succeed him. The author cherished the memory of his mentor and wished to preserve his memory. With this end in view, he compiled the Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar, edited and translated here as Inside the Immaculate Portal. The work presents not only a biographical account of one of the most prominent statesman of the early Fatimid period, but, more importantly, it brings together oral statements, correspondence and other archival material from the period spanning over sixty years of Fatimid rule. The Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar was written during the time of al-Muizz's successor al-Aziz bi-llah (r. 365386/975996). It is divided into two parts. The first part contains an account of the life and career of Jawdhar, from his entering the service of the Fatimids under al-Mahdi to his death sixty years later during the reign of al-Muizz. The biography is interspersed with some sermons and correspondence of the imams with Jawdhar on a variety of subjects, both personal and political. The second part is largely a documentary collection of 86 letters, directives, recorded conversations and letters of the Fatimid caliph-imams addressed to Jawdhar. Altogether, this publication provides a unique insight into the private world and political ethos of one of the major Muslim dynasties of the medieval era.