Memoirs of a Mission: The Ismaili Scholar, Statesman and Poet, Al-Mu-ayyad Fi'l-Din Al-Shirazi

by Verena Klemm

Overview

Al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-DIn al-ShIrzI (died 470/1087), was an outstanding, multi-talented Fatimid scholar of Persian origin. He excelled as a missionary-agent, statesman, poet, preacher and theologian. Based on his autobiography, this work provides an insight into the remarkable life and achievements of al-Mu'ayyad through the important stages of his career, describing his daring attempt to win over the Buyids of western Iraq to the Fatimid cause, his dangerous flight to Cairo and finally his expedition to Syria and Iraq to build up an alliance of local rulers against the invading Saljuk Turks. The author demonstrates that in addition to being an intriguing personal account, the life of al-Mu'ayyad is a rich source of Islamic history in the 5/llth century, which deals with crucial events in the struggle between the Fatimids, Abbasids, Buyids and Saljuks for supremacy in the Muslim world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781850434221
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/21/2003
Series:	Ismaili Heritage , #9
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Verena Klemm obtained her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Tubingen, Germany. A specialist in Arabic literature and modern Arabic literary discourse, she is the author of 'Die Mission des fatimidschen Agenten al- Mu'ayyad fi'd-dIn in airzz', and a number of other studies in German and English.

Table of Contents

Preface
• Map
• Introduction
• The Rise and Fall of a da'I
• Al-Mu'ayyad's Mission at the Buyid Court in Fars
• Al-Mu'ayyad and Abu Kalijar
• Al-Mu'ayyad's Memoirs as a Source for History
• The Self-portrayal of a da'I
• Al-Mu'ayyad in Egypt and Syria
• Al-Mu'ayyad at the Fatimid Court in Cairo
• Al-Mu'ayyad 's Political Mission in Northern Syria
• Al-Mu'ayyad at the Pinnacle of his Career
• Al-Mu'ayyad as Chief da'i in Cairo
• Epilogue
• Appendix 1: The Works of al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi
• Appendix 2: The Hierarchy and Pedagogy of the Fatimid da'wa
• Bibliography
• Index