Sufis in Medieval Baghdad: Agency and the Public Sphere in the Late Abbasid Caliphate

— —

Atta Muhammad (Talim-ul-Islam College, Pakistan)

Sufis in Medieval Baghdad

Agency and the Public Sphere in the Late Abbasid Caliphate

Atta Muhammad (Talim-ul-Islam College, Pakistan)

$170

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

I.B. Tauris
16 November 2023

Medieval history; Social & cultural history; Sufism & Islamic mysticism; Islamic studies

This book examines the political and social activities of Sufis in Baghdad in the period 1000-1258. It argues that Sufis played an important role in creating a public sphere that existed between ordinary subjects and the government. Drawing on Arabic sources and secondary literature, it explores the role of Sufis and their institutions including their ribats or lodge houses, from the use of Sufis as political ambassadors to their role in redistributing charity to the poor. The book reveals the role of Sufism in structuring a wide range of social and political arrangements in this period. It also reveals the role of ordinary, non-elite actors who, by taking part in Sufi-affiliated religious or professional associations, were able take part in public life in late-Abbasid Baghdad.

By: Atta Muhammad (Talim-ul-Islam College Pakistan)
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780755647583
ISBN 10: 0755647580
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 16 November 2023
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgements Transliteration and Dates Introduction Chapter 1 The Concept of the Public Sphere in Medieval Islamic Societies Chapter 2 Spaces for the Public Good in Medieval Islamic Societies Chapter 3 Baghdad in the Late Abbasid Caliphate Chapter 4 The Ribat: An Institution of the Public Sphere Chapter 5 Sufis’ Relations with the Ruling Authorities and their Contribution to the Public Sphere Conclusion Appendix: Maps and tables Bibliography

Atta Muhammad is Lecturer at Talim-ul-Islam College, Pakistan. He holds PhD from the University of Leeds, UK.

Reviews for Sufis in Medieval Baghdad: Agency and the Public Sphere in the Late Abbasid Caliphate

"In this first comprehensive study of Sufism in medieval Baghdad, Atta Muhammad offers an insightful interrogation of the pivotal role played by Sufis, who worked for the common good alongside members of various segments of society, in the public sphere of the city during the late Abbasid period. Rich in substance and theory, this book advances our understanding of the concept, creation, nature, and operation of a vibrant and inclusive public sphere in medieval Islamic societies and the significance of Sufi agency therein beyond the temporal and spatial specifics. * Daphna Ephrat, Professor of Islamic and Near Eastern History, The Open University of Israel * This is an interesting and, in many ways, original book. It feeds into the growing body of literature which pushes back against the ""orientalist"" idea that medieval Muslim rulers were absolute and arbitrary dictators who had no sustained or fruitful interactions with their subjects. Instead Atta Muhammad shows how the Sufis were among a number of groups who articulated and represented popular concerns and, at least on some occasions, stood up to and confronted rulers and their ill-disciplined soldiery. * Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic, SOAS University of London, UK *"