This book examines the most important writings of a tenth century Islamic theologian and jurist who was one of the most original thinkers of his period. It argues that Qadi al-Nu'man's works constituted new and vital genres in Ismaili Shi'i literature, an emergence necessitated by the Fatimids' transition from revolutionary movement to statehood, and by their desire to establish their authority as a Shi'i alternative to the Sunni Abbasid caliphate. Al-Nu'man, already famous in the Fatimid era, produced a legacy which consists of a school of law, historical and biographical works, new interpretations of Ismaili doctrine, and the formulation of a ceremonial language achieved through his work on court protocol. Between Revolution and State represents a sophisticated and readable analysis of one of the seminal figures of the Fatimid period.

About the Author
Sumaiya A Hamdani received her PhD in Islamic history from Princeton University, specialising in the medieval Islam and the Fatimid caliphate. She is Associate Professor in the History and Art History Department of George Mason University, Virginia.


Book Information
ISBN 9781850438823
Author Sumaiya A. Hamdani
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC