Muʿāwiya, ʿAbd al-Malik, and the Falcon of Quraysh

This study explores the potential of using one of the less-studied textual sources for the caliphal period in al-Andalus, namely, the ʿIqd al-farīd by Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih (d. 940), for an investigation of the Western Umayyad discourse of legitimacy. It focuses therein the narrative portrayals of the Eas...

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Bibliographic Details
Subtitles:"Thematic Focus: The Umayyads from West to East: New Perspectives"
Main Author: Toral-Niehoff, Isabel 1965- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: De Gruyter 2023
In: Der Islam
Year: 2023, Volume: 100, Issue: 2, Pages: 484-503
Further subjects:B Succession
B Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih
B ʿAbd al-Malik
B fitna
B Muʿāwiya
B maqātil
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Summary:This study explores the potential of using one of the less-studied textual sources for the caliphal period in al-Andalus, namely, the ʿIqd al-farīd by Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih (d. 940), for an investigation of the Western Umayyad discourse of legitimacy. It focuses therein the narrative portrayals of the Eastern caliphs Muʿāwiya and ʿAbd al-Malik, generally seen as models of strong and successful Umayyad leadership, and analyzes which qualities are highlighted and downsized, of them and their opponents. A close reading of selected passages shows that the result is of high complexity and ambivalence. In literalized anecdotes peppered with sayings, poems, and foreboding dreams, the narratives feature dramatic, violent scenes and tragic plots, which emphasize the human tragedy of the protagonists in their fight for power and authority in the Islamic community. The study proposes to interpret them in the framework of a particular Andalusī anxiety ("sentiment of precarity"), which saw the Umayyad dynasty and its caliphal credentials as central warrants of unity and Muslim permanence on the peninsula.
ISSN:1613-0928
Contains:Enthalten in: Der Islam
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1515/islam-2023-0025