Writing and Representation in Medieval Islam: Muslim Horizons (Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Literatures)

With contributions from specialists in different areas of classical Islamic thought, this accessible volume explores the ways in which medieval Muslims saw, interpreted and represented the world around them in their writings. Focusing mainly on the eighth to tenth centuries AD, known as the ‘formative period of Islamic thought’, the book examines historiography, literary prose and Arabic prose genres which do not fall neatly into either category. Filling a gap in the literature by providing detailed discussions of both primary texts and recent scholarship, Writing and Representation in Medieval Islam will be welcomed by students and scholars of classical Arabic literature, Islamic history and medieval history. This New Book Explores The Ways In Which Medieval Muslims, Saw, Interpreted And Represented The World Around Them In Their Writings. Focusing Mainly On The Eighth To Tenth Centuries Ad, Known As The Formative Period Of Islamic Thought, The Book Examines Historiography, Prose Literature And Those Arabic Prose Genres Which Do Not Fall Neatly Into Either Category. Filling A Gap In The Literature By Providing Detailed Discussions Of Both Primary Texts And Of Recent Scholarship, The Book Will Be Welcomed By Students And Scholars Of Classical Arabic Literature, Islamic History And Medieval History. Ibn Zunbul And The Romance Of History / Robert Irwin -- History, Fiction And Authorship In The First Centuries Of Islam / Robert G. Hoyland -- Writing Medieval Women : Representations And Misrepresentations / Julie Scott Meisami -- Al-jāḥiẓ's Kitāb Al-bayān Wa Al-tabyīn / James E. Montgomery -- The Maqāmāt As A Nexus Of Interests : Reflections On Abdelfattah Kilito's Les Séances / Philip F. Kennedy -- The Physical World And The Writer's Eye : Al-tanūkhī And Medicine / Julia Bray. Edited By Julia Bray. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 2 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Notes on Contributors......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 13 Note on Conventions......Page 14 Part I: Fact and Fiction......Page 16 1. Ibn Zunbul and the Romance of History......Page 18 2. History, Fiction and Authorship in the First Centuries of Islam......Page 31 3. Writing Medieval Women: Representations and Misrepresentations......Page 62 Part II: Appearance and Truth......Page 104 4. Al-Jahiz’s Kitab Al-Bayan Wa Al-Tabyin......Page 106 5. The Maqamat as a Nexus of Interests: Reflections on Abdelfattah Kilito’s Les Seances......Page 168 6. The Physical World and the Writer’s Eye: Al-Tanukhi and Medicine......Page 230 Index......Page 266 List of contributors Introduction Acknowledgements Note on conventions Fact and fiction Robert Irwin: Ibn Zunbul and the romance of history Robert G. Hoyland: history, fiction and authorship in the first centuries of Islam Julie Scott Meisami: Writing medieval women : representations and misrepresentations Appearance and truth James E. Montgomery: al-Jāḥiẓ's Kitāb al-bayān wa al-tabyīn Philip F. Kennedy: The maqāmāt as a nexus of interests: reflections on Abdelfattah Kilito's Les séances Julia Bray: the physical world and the writer's eye : al-Tanūkhī and medicine Notes Bibliographies Index. With contributors from specialists in different areas of classical Islamic thought, this accessible volume explores the ways in which medieval Muslims, saw, interpreted and represented the world around them in their writings.