Orations of the Fatimid caliphs : festival sermons of the Ismaili imams : an edition of the Arabic texts and English translation of Fatimid khuṭbas

The Fatimid empire was a highly sophisticated and cosmopolitan regime that flourished from the beginning of the 10th to the end of the 12th century. Under the enlightened rule of the Fatimid Caliphs, Cairo was founded as the nucleus of an imperium that extended from Arabia in the east to present-day Morocco in the west. Dynamic rulers like the the fourth caliph al-Mu'izz (who conquered Egypt and founded his new capital there) were remarkable not only for their extensive conquests but also for combining secular with religious legitimacy. As living imams of the Ismaili branch of Shi'ism, they exercised authority over both spiritual and secular domains. The sacred dimension of their mandate was manifested most powerfully twice a year, when the imam-Caliphs personally delivered sermons, or khutbas, to their subjects, to coincide with the great feasts and festivals of fast-breaking and sacrifice. While few of these sermons have survived, those that have endured vividly evoke both of the atmosphere of the occasion and the words uttered on it. Paul E. Walker here provides unique access to these orations by presenting the Arabic original and a complete English translation of all the khutbas now extant. He also offers a history of the festival sermons and explores their key themes and rhetorical strategies. The Fatimid Empire flourished from the early 10th into the second half of the 12th century CE. Under the enlightened rule of this dynasty, Fatimid imam-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 Isma‘ili branch of Shi‘a Islam, they exercised dual authority over both spiritual and secular realms. The great majority of Fatimid documents were the product of the royal chancery; they were composed by those employed in it and thus not by the imam-caliphs, at least not directly. But, while voicing his sentiments and that of the tradition to which the Fatimids ascribed, few actually conveyed the imam’s own words. Except for a tiny few, the imam-caliph rarely wrote them himself. In general, however, the opposite was true of the sermons prepared for the two Muslim ‘id festivals, which were not only delivered by the imams in person whenever possible, but also composed by them. Therefore we have the possibility, in this case, of listening (more precisely of reading) to the very words of the imams themselves. The sermon, in Arabic the khutba, was (and is) a standard feature of Friday congregational observance and was offered every week. The Fatimid caliphs naturally did not deliver such sermons that often. However, the duty to do so on the twice-yearly occasion of the festivals—the two Muslim ‘ids, the feasts of the breaking of the fast and of sacrifice—was taken quite seriously and seldom missed by the imams. In later Fatimid times, some Friday sermons were added for Ramadan. From all such opportunities, we have precious few examples. The text of most of these sermons, even those by the imams, simply did not survive. Still, those that have come down to us are more than enough to begin to appreciate the event and the words uttered on it. It is, therefore, the principal purpose of this book to provide access to them by presenting the Arabic original and a complete English translation of all those sermons now available. To understand the context of these sermons, it is also necessary to learn as much about the practice and its history as possible. The first two chapters constitute, first, a history of the Fatimid khutbas, what was said, by whom and on what occasions, and second, an analysis of the themes and rhetorical strategies given expression in the surviving examples. Chapter One, ‘A History of the Fatimid Khutba’ includes a discussion of the following topics: a unique example of a Fatimid khutba in Abbasid Iraq; khutbas and khatibs (the preachers who delivered them); festival khutbas by the Fatimid caliphs; Fatimid khutbas in North Africa; khutbas by imam-caliphs al-Mansur and al-Mu‘izz; the first Fatimid khutbas in Egypt; khutbas by imam-caliphs al-‘Aziz, al-Hakim and al-Zahir; the eyewitness testimony of al-Musabbihi; the khutba from caliph-imam al-Mustansir to al-Amir; khutbas from the reign of caliph al-Hafiz onward; the eyewitness testimony of Ibn al-Tuwayr; and the very last Fatimid khutba. Chapter Two, ‘The Rhetoric of the Surviving Khutbas’ covers separately: the audience; double meanings for different audiences; Qur’anic references and language; praising God; Prophet Muhammad as grandfather; Imam ‘Ali as father; Fatima al-Zahra, Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn; the imams, before caliph-imam al-Mahdi and after; the terms fatimi and mahdiyin; Umayyad and ‘Abbasid dynasties; the Dajjal; advice for the occasion of the sermon; pilgrimage; death and loss; and miscellaneous themes. Part Two comprises the translations of khutbas by caliph-imams al-Qa’im, al-Mansur and al-Mu‘izz, plus one by Qirwash and two by al-Amir, while Part Three contains the Arabic texts of the same khutbas I.B. Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili StudiesThe Fatimid empire was a highly sophisticated and cosmopolitan regime that flourished from the beginning of the 10th to the end of the 12th century. Under the enlightened rule of the Fatimid Caliphs, Cairo was founded as the nucleus of an imperium that extended from Arabia in the east to present-day Morocco in the west. Dynamic rulers like the the fourth caliph al-Mu'izz (who conquered Egypt and founded his new capital there) were remarkable not only for their extensive conquests but also for combining secular with religious legitimacy. As living imams of the Ismaili branch of Shi'ism, they exercised authority over both spiritual and secular domains. The sacred dimension of their mandate was manifested most powerfully twice a year, when the imam-Caliphs personally delivered sermons, or khutbas, to their subjects, to co-incide with the great feasts and festivals of fast-breaking and sacrifice.While few of these sermons have survived, those that have endured vividly evoke both of the atmosphere of the occasion and the words uttered on it.Paul E Walker here provides unique access to these orations by presenting the Arabic original and a complete English translation of all the khutbas now extant. He also offers a history of the festival sermons and explores their key themes and rhetorical strategies. Pt. 1. Introductions. A History Of The Fatimid Khuṭba -- Rhetoric And Themes In The Surviving Khuṭbas -- Pt. 2. The Khuṭbas. Khuṭba Of Al-qāʼim: On The ʻĪd Al-fiṭr, 302 (19 April 915) At Alexandria -- Khuṭba Of Al-qāʼim: Rajab 333 (march 945): During The Siege Of Al-mahdiyya: Read By Al-marwadhī -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: As Walī Liʼl-ʻahd (heir-apparent) On The ʻĪd Al-fiṭr, 334 (6 May 946) At Al-mahdiyya -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: On Friday, 14 Muḥarram 335 (16 August 946): Read By Jaʻfar B. ʻalī, The Chamberlain, In The Mosque Of Qayrawān -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: On The ʻĪd Al-fiṭr, 335 (25 April 947): During The Siege Of Abū Yazīd At Kiyāna -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: On The ʻĪd Al-aḍḥā, 335 (2 July 947): During The Siege Of Abū Yazīd At Kiyāna -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: On The ʻĪd Al-fiṭr, 336 (14 April 948), At Al-mahdiyya -- Khuṭba Of Al-manṣūr: On The ʻĪd Al-naḥr, 336 (21 June 948) At Al-mahdiyya -- Khuṭba Of Al-muʻizz: On The ʻĪd Al-naḥr, 341 (28 April 953) At Al-manṣūriyya -- Khuṭba Of Al-muʻizz -- Khuṭba Of Qirwāsh: On 4 Muḥarram 401 (18 August 1010) At Mawṣil -- Khuṭba Of Al-Āmir: On A Friday, During Ramaḍān -- Khuṭba Of Al-Āmir: On The ʻĪd Al-fiṭr. By Paul E. Walker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 154-157) And Index. Text In English With Sermons In Arabic And English Translation. "In the eighteenth century, the academic scholar Ibn al-Tayyib made a rihla (journey) from Morocco to the Hijaz, in modern day Saudi Arabia, documenting his travels in the translated manuscript "Rihla ila al-Hijaz", now stored in Leipzig University Library. Lahlali and Al-Dihan here introduce the manuscript and provide a commentary on this remarkable journey and the socio-political climate of the time in which it took place. Al-Tayyib's detailed manuscript contains accounts of observations he made during his travels and his comments regarding the social, economic and political conditions of the countries he visited, as well as comments about the scholars whom he was able to meet. The work is considered the most important reference to the author's life and culture, and is an important source in terms of the linguistic derivations of geographical names. Lahlali and Al-Dihan also provide an insight into al-Tayyib's life and work during the period that he spent outside North Africa. A full translation of the manuscript is provided in this book which serves as a reference for further study."--Bloomsbury publishing "The sermon - in Arabic the khutba - 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 Ramadan. 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 khutba - what was said, by whom and on what occasions - and an analysis of its themes and rhetorical strategies."--Jacket