Parable and Politics in Early Islamic History

The Rashidun Caliphs

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Islam, History, Middle East
Cover of the book Parable and Politics in Early Islamic History by Tayeb El-Hibri, Columbia University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tayeb El-Hibri ISBN: 9780231521659
Publisher: Columbia University Press Publication: October 19, 2010
Imprint: Columbia University Press Language: English
Author: Tayeb El-Hibri
ISBN: 9780231521659
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication: October 19, 2010
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Language: English

The story of the succession to the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of the Rashidun Caliphate (632-661) is familiar to historians from the political histories of medieval Islam, which treat it as a factual account. The story also informs the competing perspectives of Sunni and Shi'i Islam, which read into it the legitimacy of their claims. Yet while descriptive and varied, these approaches have long excluded a third reading, which views the conflict over the succession to the Prophet as a parable. From this vantage point, the motives, sayings, and actions of the protagonists reveal profound links to previous texts, not to mention a surprising irony regarding political and religious issues.

In a controversial break from previous historiography, Tayeb El-Hibri privileges the literary and artistic triumphs of the medieval Islamic chronicles and maps the origins of Islamic political and religious orthodoxy. Considering the patterns and themes of these unified narratives, including the problem of measuring personal qualification according to religious merit, nobility, and skills in government, El-Hibri offers an insightful critique of both early and contemporary Islam and the concerns of legitimacy shadowing various rulers. In building an argument for reading the texts as parabolic commentary, he also highlights the Islamic reinterpretation of biblical traditions, both by Qur'anic exegesis and historical composition.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The story of the succession to the Prophet Muhammad and the rise of the Rashidun Caliphate (632-661) is familiar to historians from the political histories of medieval Islam, which treat it as a factual account. The story also informs the competing perspectives of Sunni and Shi'i Islam, which read into it the legitimacy of their claims. Yet while descriptive and varied, these approaches have long excluded a third reading, which views the conflict over the succession to the Prophet as a parable. From this vantage point, the motives, sayings, and actions of the protagonists reveal profound links to previous texts, not to mention a surprising irony regarding political and religious issues.

In a controversial break from previous historiography, Tayeb El-Hibri privileges the literary and artistic triumphs of the medieval Islamic chronicles and maps the origins of Islamic political and religious orthodoxy. Considering the patterns and themes of these unified narratives, including the problem of measuring personal qualification according to religious merit, nobility, and skills in government, El-Hibri offers an insightful critique of both early and contemporary Islam and the concerns of legitimacy shadowing various rulers. In building an argument for reading the texts as parabolic commentary, he also highlights the Islamic reinterpretation of biblical traditions, both by Qur'anic exegesis and historical composition.

More books from Columbia University Press

Cover of the book Voices of Revolution by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Centrifugal Empire by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Coming to Our Senses by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Kinship with Monkeys by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Beyond Biofatalism by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Hollywood and Hitler, 1933-1939 by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book The Dynamic Frame by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Hearst Over Hollywood by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book The Columbia Guide to Social Work Writing by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book The Garden and the Fire by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Zhu Xi's Reading of the Analects by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book Terrorism and Counterintelligence by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book My Brilliant Friends by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book The Columbia Sourcebook of Literary Taiwan by Tayeb El-Hibri
Cover of the book The Age of Sustainable Development by Tayeb El-Hibri
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy