Mediaeval Isma'ili History and Thought [Paperback]

This volume presents scholarship on Isma`ili history and thought from leading authorities in the field.Until recently, the Ismai`ilis were judged almost exclusively on the basis of hostile Muslim and European sources. This volume, the result of some of the most recent scholarship in the area and written by leading contemporary authorities in the field, sheds a new and more realistic light on their history. ' an extremely useful collection which deserves a place in the library of any individual or institute concerned with the study of Islam and of Islamic history.' Peter Jackson, Journal of Semitic StudiesUntil recently, the Ismai`ilis were judged almost exclusively on the basis of hostile Muslim and European sources. This volume, the result of some of the most recent scholarship in the area and written by leading contemporary authorities in the field, sheds a new and more realistic light on their history. ' an extremely useful collection which deserves a place in the library of any individual or institute concerned with the study of Islam and of Islamic history.' Peter Jackson, Journal of Semitic StudiesUntil recently, the Ismai`ilis were judged almost exclusively on the basis of hostile Muslim and European sources. This volume, the result of some of the most recent scholarship in the area and written by leading contemporary authorities in the field, sheds a new and more realistic light on their history.1. Introduction: Isma`ilis and Isma`ili studies Farhad Daftary; Part I. The Classical Phase: 2. The Fatimids and the Qarmatis of Bahrayn Wilferd Madelung; 3. The cosmology of the pre-Fatimid Isma'iliyya Heinz Halm; 4. Abu Ya'qub al-Sijistani and the seven faculties of the intellect Wilfred Madelung; 5. The Isma'ili oath of allegiance ('ahd) and the 'sessions of wisdom' (majalis al-hikma) in Fatimid times Heinz Halm; 6. Al-Qadi al-Nu`man and Isma`ili jurisprudence Ismail K. Poonawala; 7. A critique of Paul Casanova's dating of the Rasa'il Ikhwan al-Safa' Abbas HamdlÚ