Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Andrew Newman In brief Guest speaker - Professor Andrew Newman (University of Edinburgh) Title - A View from the Periphery: The ijāza as Polemic in Early 10th/16th Twelver Shī`ism Abstract by Andrew Newman This seminar examines four ijāzāt of Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Qaṭīfī (d. after 945/1539). In the scholarly literature to date, al-Qaṭīfī is best-known as an opponent of `Alī al-Karakī (d. 940/1534), the Lebanese cleric who migrated to Safavid Iran (1501-1722) and served the first two Safavid shahs. The limited western-language academic discussion in works dedicated specifically to Twelver ijāzāt to date generally does not recognise these as having the potential for an ‘agenda’ above and beyond that of the function for which they were, ostensibly, intended. Most focus on the information on scholarly networks on offer in these texts and refer to post-Safavid ijāzāt. Al-Qaṭīfī’s ijāzāt themselves are given little or no attention. Close attention to the four texts shows that al-Karakī’s presence looms large, if indirectly, across the four. The complex blend of al-Qaṭīfī’s jurisprudential criticisms offered in these texts - documents not necessarily intended for widespread circulation - complement his open critique of al-Karakī as discussed elsewhere even as al-Qaṭīfī’s personal reflections attest to a sense of being an ‘outsider’ of lesser stature in comparison with al-Karakī, based on fewer opportunities, ill health and personal slights, all leading to a lack of self-confidence. As such, the seminar suggests that in the context of the western-language discussion of Shī`ī ijāzāt to date the combination of the jurisprudential with the personal on offer al-Qaṭīfī’s ijāzāt is distinctive. About the speaker Professor Andrew Newman holds a BA in History, summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA, and an MA and PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA. He joined IMES in 1996, having been a Research Fellow at both the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford and Green College, Oxford, whilst researching topics in the history of Islamic medicine. Professor Newman's most recent publication is a volume on the history and development of Twelver Shi‘ism to the end of the Safawid period (901-1135/1501-1722). Future projects include a volume on prominent figures of the Safawid period, a volume on the Safawids as empire, and further research into early Twelver Shi‘i history, doctrine and practice. About the seminar series Each semester, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) welcomes a fantastic range of guest speakers, PhD students and colleagues from across the University to present an evening seminar on their research. This semester, topics range from Islamic Twitter in Saudi Arabia and penal measures in the contemporary MENA region, to Shi’a polemics and women under the Umayyad caliphate. All seminars will be followed by a Q&A and wine reception. How to join Events are free and everyone is welcome. No booking is required. If you have any questions, please contact the organiser Ebtihal Mahadeen. Email Ebtihal Mahadeen Are you interested in studying with us? We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present. Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Sep 26 2022 17.15 - 19.00 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Andrew Newman Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Andrew Newman (University of Edinburgh) on the four ijāzāt of Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Qaṭīfī. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square EH8 9LH Edinburgh
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Andrew Newman In brief Guest speaker - Professor Andrew Newman (University of Edinburgh) Title - A View from the Periphery: The ijāza as Polemic in Early 10th/16th Twelver Shī`ism Abstract by Andrew Newman This seminar examines four ijāzāt of Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Qaṭīfī (d. after 945/1539). In the scholarly literature to date, al-Qaṭīfī is best-known as an opponent of `Alī al-Karakī (d. 940/1534), the Lebanese cleric who migrated to Safavid Iran (1501-1722) and served the first two Safavid shahs. The limited western-language academic discussion in works dedicated specifically to Twelver ijāzāt to date generally does not recognise these as having the potential for an ‘agenda’ above and beyond that of the function for which they were, ostensibly, intended. Most focus on the information on scholarly networks on offer in these texts and refer to post-Safavid ijāzāt. Al-Qaṭīfī’s ijāzāt themselves are given little or no attention. Close attention to the four texts shows that al-Karakī’s presence looms large, if indirectly, across the four. The complex blend of al-Qaṭīfī’s jurisprudential criticisms offered in these texts - documents not necessarily intended for widespread circulation - complement his open critique of al-Karakī as discussed elsewhere even as al-Qaṭīfī’s personal reflections attest to a sense of being an ‘outsider’ of lesser stature in comparison with al-Karakī, based on fewer opportunities, ill health and personal slights, all leading to a lack of self-confidence. As such, the seminar suggests that in the context of the western-language discussion of Shī`ī ijāzāt to date the combination of the jurisprudential with the personal on offer al-Qaṭīfī’s ijāzāt is distinctive. About the speaker Professor Andrew Newman holds a BA in History, summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA, and an MA and PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA. He joined IMES in 1996, having been a Research Fellow at both the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford and Green College, Oxford, whilst researching topics in the history of Islamic medicine. Professor Newman's most recent publication is a volume on the history and development of Twelver Shi‘ism to the end of the Safawid period (901-1135/1501-1722). Future projects include a volume on prominent figures of the Safawid period, a volume on the Safawids as empire, and further research into early Twelver Shi‘i history, doctrine and practice. About the seminar series Each semester, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) welcomes a fantastic range of guest speakers, PhD students and colleagues from across the University to present an evening seminar on their research. This semester, topics range from Islamic Twitter in Saudi Arabia and penal measures in the contemporary MENA region, to Shi’a polemics and women under the Umayyad caliphate. All seminars will be followed by a Q&A and wine reception. How to join Events are free and everyone is welcome. No booking is required. If you have any questions, please contact the organiser Ebtihal Mahadeen. Email Ebtihal Mahadeen Are you interested in studying with us? We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present. Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Sep 26 2022 17.15 - 19.00 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Andrew Newman Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Andrew Newman (University of Edinburgh) on the four ijāzāt of Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Qaṭīfī. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square EH8 9LH Edinburgh
Sep 26 2022 17.15 - 19.00 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Andrew Newman Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Andrew Newman (University of Edinburgh) on the four ijāzāt of Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Qaṭīfī.
