Sami Helewa's book opens anew the Qi?a? al-anbiya? (Tales of the Prophets) in terms of the leadership of ancient prophets in a Muslim context of friendship and enmity in the narrative detail of the prophets Joseph, David, and Solomon. Although the Qi?a? genre is not court-based, advice literature, these tales could function as advisory literature through the legendary-prophetic figures. It is hardly surprising that the prophets of ancient times have been moral prototypes for the Judo-Islamic search for religio-political leaders. However, the themes of leadership, friendship, and enmity are embedded in these tales in the writing of great Medieval-Muslims like al-?abari of Baghdad and al-Tha?labi of Nishapur, who were great scholars () and men of literature (). Like the religious side of these tales, Helewa maintains that the adab side of the Qi?a? has equal importance of meaning to the struggle of ancient prophets in their friendships and hostilities. These tales, as astutely compiled from Baghdad and Nishapur, mirror interesting cultural nuances of expected leadership inherent in these great cities of learning. This book will be a great value for those interested in the Sira genre, the overall Qi?a? genre, the inheritance of prophets, the adab of religious writing, the advice literature, and the history of Baghdad and Nishapur.
Autorentext
By Sami Helewa
Zusammenfassung
Sami Helewa's book opens anew the Qia al-anbiy (Tales of the Prophets) in terms of the leadership of ancient prophets in a Muslim context of friendship and enmity in the narrative detail of the prophets Joseph, David, and Solomon. Although the Qia genre is not court-based, advice literature, these tales could function as advisory literature through the legendary-prophetic figures. It is hardly surprising that the prophets of ancient times have been moral prototypes for the Judo-Islamic search for religio-political leaders. However, the themes of leadership, friendship, and enmity are embedded in these tales in the writing of great Medieval-Muslims like al-abar of Baghdd and al-Thalab of Nshpr, who were great scholars (ulam) and men of literature (udab). Like the religious side of these tales, Helewa maintains that the adab side of the Qia has equal importance of meaning to the struggle of ancient prophets in their friendships and hostilities. These tales, as astutely compiled from Baghdd and Nshpr, mirror interesting cultural nuances of expected leadership inherent in these great cities of learning. This book will be a great value for those interested in the Sra genre, the overall Qia genre, the inheritance of prophets, the adab of religious writing, the advice literature, and the history of Baghdd and Nshpr.
Inhalt
Introduction
Chapter One: The Qi?a? al-anbiya?: Between Religious and Cultivated Literature
Chapter Two: Historical Context
Chapter Three: Just Leadership
Chapter Four: Friendship
Chapter Five: Enmity
Chapter Six: Final Thoughts