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History General

The Advent of the Fatimids

A Contemporary Shi’i Witness

by (author) Madelung Wilfred

Publisher
I. B. Tauris
Initial publish date
Oct 2001
Category
General, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781860647734
    Publish Date
    Oct 2001
    List Price
    $35.50

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Description

This personal memoir by a medieval scholar reveals an important discourse with two Ismaili leaders who spearheaded the Fatimid revolution in North Africa in 909-910. By reporting the thoughts and activities of Abu ‘Abdallah al-Shi’i and his brother Abu’l-Abbas over a period of seven months, Ibn al-Haytham in his Kitab al-Munazarat (The Book of Discussions) provides us with an unparalleled insider’s view to the foundations of the Fatimid state. As such, it is a unique document in the literature of early Islamic revolutionary movements as much as it represents one of the most valuable sources for the history of the medieval Muslim world.

About the author

Contributor Notes

Wilfred Madelungis Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Ismaili Studies in London.
Paul E. Walkeris an historian of ideas at the University of Chicago.