The Institute of Ismaili Studies

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Inside the Immaculate Portal


I. B. Tauris Publishers in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2012

ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-78076-268-5
Synopsis

Publication page on Google Books

This publication, edited and translated by Hamid Haji, brings together a new critical edition of the Arabic text, an introduction and a fully annotated English translation of the Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar. It contains oral statements, correspondence and other archival material from a period spanning over sixty years of Fatimid rule, providing a biographical account of one of the most prominent statesmen of the early Fatimid period, Ustadh Jawdhar.

Jawdhar was a confidante of the first four Fatimid Imam-Caliphs who ruled in North Africa (910 - 973 CE). The author of the work, Abu ‘Ali Mansur al-‘Azizi al-Jawdhari, was a private secretary of Jawdhar. Mansur had access to archives held by Jawdhar, including letters he received from the imams, and was also a trusted associate. After Jawdhar’s death in 973 CE, the Fatimid Imam-Caliph al-Mu‘izz appointed al-Mansur to succeed him. The author cherished the memory of his mentor and wished to commemorate him. With this end in view, he compiled the Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar during the time of Imam-Caliph al-Mu‘izz’s successor, Imam-Caliph al-‘Aziz billah (r. 975–996 CE).

The original Arabic text is divided into two parts. The first part contains an account of the life of Jawdhar from entering the service of the Fatimids under Imam-Caliph al-Mahdi until his installation at the new Fatimid capital, al-Mansuriyya, during the reign of Imam-Caliph al-Mu‘izz. Documents in the first part include sermons of the Fatimid Imam-Caliphs and their letters to Jawdhar on different subjects. The author introduces each item with a brief explanatory note.

Documents quoted in the work, including the preamble which accompanies them, are of variable length. The longest are the sermons. The second part contains replies of Imam-Caliph al-Mu‘izz to letters of Jawdhar or his replies to letters transmitted to him by Jawdhar on behalf of others.

The publication also includes maps of North Africa and Sicily, genealogical charts of the Fatimids of Ifriqiya and the Banu Abi al-Husayn al-Kalbi of Sicily, a bibliography, indices in English and Arabic and a chronology summarising relevant events.

This publication provides a unique insight into the private world and political ethos of one of the major Muslim dynasties of the medieval era, and will be of interest to academics and students alike.



Contents

Acknowledgements
xvii
Chronology
xix
Map 1: North Africa (4th/10th century)
xxiii
Map 2: Sicily (4th/10th century)
xxiv
Table 1: The Fatimids of Ifrīqiya
xxv
Table 2: The Kalbids of Sicily
xxvi
 
Introduction
1
 
Translation of the Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar
 
Part One: Biography
19
 
1
Jawdhar begins to serve al-Mahdi
21
2
Jawdhar acquires al-Mahdi’s blessing
24
3
Jawdhar left in charge of al-Qa’im’s palace
26
4
Jawdhar becomes official at the Treasury
27
5
Jawdhar made privy to al-Mansur’s designation as heir apparent
27
6
A letter from al-Mansur, heir apparent, to Jawdhar
28
7
The first written directive from al-Qa’im to Jawdhar
31
8
al-Qa’im shuns forbidden goods
32
9
al-Qa’im’s advice to al-Mansur regarding Jawdhar
32
10
Jawdhar left to govern the entire country
33
11
Letter of al-Mansur proclaiming his victory over Abu Yazid
34
12
Letter of al-Mansur announcing the death of al-Qa’im
36
13
Letter of al-Mansur concerning money that Jawdhar had offered to him
37
14
Letter of al-Mansur to Jawdhar
37
15
The defeat of Abu Yazid Makhlad b. Kaydad
38
16
Jawdhar is freed from bondage and receives his honorific title
42
17
Jawdhar’s name is inscribed on embroidered garments and carpets
43
18
al-Mansur honours Jawdhar
43
19
al-Mansur’s treasure stores entrusted to Jawdhar
44
20
Sermon of al-Qa’im delivered by al-Marwazi
45
21
Sermon of al-Mansur announcing the death of al-Qa’im
47
22
al-Mansur gifts newly minted coins to Jawdhar
53
23
Letter of al-Mansur concerning a gift for the Byzantine emperor
54
24
Letter of al-Mansur concerning the inhabitants of the palace
55
25
Another letter concerning the inhabitants of the palace
56
26
Letter from al-Mansur concerning his uncles and brothers
59
27
Letter of al-Mansur concerning certain troublemakers
64
28
Letter of al-Mansur regarding the rebels of Sicily
66
29
Last letter of al-Mansur to Jawdhar
68
30
Letters of al-Mu‘izz informing Jawdhar of the death of al-Mansur
69
31
Letter of al-Mu‘izz in reply to a request that Jawdhar had made to him
71
32
Sermon of al-Mu‘izz announcing the death of al-Mansur
73
33
A note from Jawdhar to al-Mu‘izz and the latter’s reply
81
Part Two: Documents
86
1
On the transportation of barley to Sicily
86
2
al-Mu‘izz’s instructions to have a prayer mat made for a Slav
87
3
Jawdhar’s letter about the conduct of a Slav, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
89
4
Disagreement between the Treasury director and an official of the mint
91
5
al-Mu‘izz’s reply to a personal note from Jawdhar
92
6
Horses gifted by Jawdhar to the Banu Abi al-Husayn al-Kalbi
93
7
Jawdhar’s offer of money to al-Mu‘izz, and the latter’s reply
93
8
Another personal note from Jawdhar regarding his plea, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
94
9
A governor’s complaint against some Berbers
95
10
Jawdhar seeks permission to accept a gift from the governor of Barqa, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
96
11
Jawdhar’s request for a pass to cover expenses for the upkeep of camels, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
97
12
Jawdhar’s note about a pledge by a Slav to pay for houses administered by him, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
98
13
On litigation about pastures
98
14
Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
100
15
Jawdhar’s request regarding a son of his secretary, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
100
16
On materials for shipbuilding
100
17
Interception of letters of two sons of Qasim, son of al-Qa’im, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
101
18
Jawdhar’s complaint about a governor, and al-Mu‘izz’s instructions to the commander Jawhar
102
19
On surveillance of correspondence between some members of the Fatimid family
103
20
Abu ‘Abd Allah, son of al-Qa’im, forbidden to engage in wailing
103
21
Jawdhar authorised to have saman mats made for himself
104
22
al-Mu‘izz attempts to reconcile Ja’far b. ‘Ali b. Hamdun and Yusuf b. Ziri
104
23
The director of the naval storehouses forbidden to store supplies in a mosque
106
24
Order to expedite the purchase of maritime provisions
107
25
Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
107
26
A shroud for an official’s son
108
27
Condolences for the death of a servant
108
28
Order to execute captains of ships which left for Sicily in breach of instructions
108
29
Jawdhar’s reminder regarding his request, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
109
30
Jawdhar’s complaint about a Slav sent to procure slaves for the palace, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
110
31
Jawdhar’s note concerning Ahmad, son of al-Mahdi, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
111
32
Jawdhar’s reminder concerning his request, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
112
33
Another note of Jawdhar concerning his request, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
112
34
Jawdhar’s request for an order to expedite maritime supplies, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
113
35
Jawdhar’s indisposition, and al-Mu‘izz’s concern for Jawdhar’s health
114
36
Rumours that Jawdhar would be appointed to govern Ifriqiya after al-Mu‘izz’s departure for Egypt
115
37
Concerning permits for officials travelling to Egypt
116
38
al-Mu‘izz sends to Jawdhar spring water and Fatimid dinars minted in Egypt
118
39
Jawdhar’s illness, his renewed appeal, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
119
40
On the building of a wall around Zawila
119
41
Jawdhar’s reminder regarding his request
120
42
al-Mu‘izz gives Jawdhar leggings worn by al-Mansur and himself
120
43
Jawdhar’s note regarding the salary of his protégé, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
121
44
Jawdhar’s concern for al-Mu‘izz’s health, and the latter’s reply
121
45
Complaint about the commissioner of al-Mahdiyya, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
122
46
Concerning disagreements between some members of the Kalbi family
123
47
A shroud for an employee of the maritime administration
125
48
The use of revenues from the domains of Muzaffar the Slav
125
49
Regarding a letter from the governor of Sicily, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
126
50
Concerning a drunken secretary
127
51
Letter from the governor of Tripoli about expenditure for the fleet, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
128
52
Jawdhar’s offer to provide wood for shipbuilding, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
129
53
Jawdhar’s request concerning the son of a secretary to receive his father’s emoluments
130
54
Prince Tamim’s companionship with Tahir, son of Ahmad b. al-Hasan
130
55
al-Mu‘izz pays tribute to a secretary after his death
131
56
al-Mu‘izz accepts a gift of wood from Jawdhar
132
57
A land dispute between Jawdhar’s agent and a man of the Kutama
132
58
Jawhar’s request relating to inheritance and purchase of property
133
59
Jawdhar’s complaint about abuses committed by a district governor, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
134
60
Jawdhar’s report on the activities of an Umayyad agent in al-Masila, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
135
61
Jawdhar’s wish not to importune al-Mu‘izz
136
62
On the release of Muslim prisoners from Byzantine Custody
137
63
Jawdhar’s note relating to maritime supplies, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
138
64
Jawdhar’s request to grant a domain to a secretary’s son, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
138
65
The treatment of some slaves who apostatised after having embraced Islam
139
66
On Ja’far b. Mansur al-Yaman’s financial predicament and al-Mu‘izz’s help to him
139
67
Jawdhar’s request for a ship to replace one that perished, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
140
68
Concerning the death of al-Hasan b. ‘Ali in Sicily
141
69
Finances of the governor Ja’far b. ‘Ali b. Hamdun
142
70
al-Mu‘izz allows Ja’far to continue to administer the province in spite of lower financial returns to the Treasury
143
71
Jawdhar’s note to al-Mu‘izz defending the interests of the Treasury, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
144
72
Concerning rumours about Jawdhar’s concern for the Kalbi brothers
145
73
Concerning alienation between Jawdhar and Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. ‘Ali al-Kalbi
148
74
al-Mu‘izz binds Jawdhar to Jawhar by a pact of brotherhood
149
75
About an agreement between Jawdhar and the governor of Sicily regarding his ship’s cargo
150
76
Jawdhar asks al-Mu‘izz’s permission to gift a precious rug to Prince ‘Abd Allah
151
77
al-Mu‘izz expresses regret at the loss of Jawdhar’s ship which perished
152
78
Concerning a request to turn a house adjoining Dar al-Bahr into a storehouse for naval equipment
152
79
Concerning a request by al-Hasan b. ‘Ali’s mother to buy a house near the palace
153
80
Concerning a promise made by al-Mu‘izz to al-Hasan b. ‘Ammar
153
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
154
82
Jawdhar is received in al-Mansuriyya by al-Mu‘izz’s sons, brothers and dignitaries of the state
155
83
Ja’far b. ‘Ali b. Hamdun’s correspondence regarding raising revenue for the Treasury, and al-Mu‘izz’s reply
158
84
Prince ‘Abd Allah replies to Jawdhar’s letter requesting mules, with al-Mu‘izz’s response
159
85
Account of Jawdhar’s final journey, his frail condition, and his last meeting with al-Mu‘izz at Ajdabiya
160
86
Jawdhar enters Barqa gravely ill; Prince ‘Abd Allah’s letter to Jawdhar on al-Mu‘izz’s behalf; Jawdhar’s death and burial
162
 
167
English Index
177
 
Arabic Index
Arabic Text


Content Date: March 2012

The Institute of Ismaili Studies - Inside the Immaculate Portal
Last updated: 5/25/2012 17:25