Reassessing the Fatimid succession to Imam al Mustansir
The lecture begins at 17.00 UK time.
The succession following the death of the Fatimid Imam-Caliph al-Mustansir produced one of the most significant turning points in Ismaili history. The division between Nizari and Musta尪li (Tayyibi) communities has endured for centuries. Yet the circumstances that produced this split remain disputed. Scholars continue to debate the available evidence, the reliability of contemporaneous reports, and the political dynamics that shaped the transition.
In this lecture, revisits the key issues and reassesses the sources that have defined modern understandings of the succession.
He highlights a previously overlooked account written close to the time of the schism. It offers new insights into how early narratives developed and circulated within the 餃硃尪滄硃Lit. ‘summons’, ‘mission’ or invitation to Islam. Amongst Shi’i Muslims, it was the invitation to adopt the cause of the Imamat. It also refers more specifically to the hierarchy of…. His analysis clarifies long-standing ambiguities and provides a more grounded basis for interpreting this transformative moment in the Fatimid period.
The session will include an introduction and a discussion with Dr F璽r癡s Gillon, before opening up to Q&A with the audience.
Paul Walker
Paul Walker is well known for his many publications on Ismaili and Fatimid topics, among them (Cambridge University Press, 1993), The Advent of the FatimidsMajor Muslim dynasty of Ismaili caliphs in North Africa (from 909) and later in Egypt (9731171) More (2000), Orations of the Fatimid Caliphs (2009), Master of the Age (2007), and most recently, (Brill, 2023). He is currently Deputy Director for Academic Programs, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Chicago.
Dr F璽r癡s Gillon
F璽r癡s Gillon泭勳莽 ma簾tre de conf矇rencesin Islamic Studies and Arabic language at Aix-Marseille University. He obtained his doctorate in Arab and Islamic studies from the cole Pratique des Hautes tudes (EPHE, PSL). His recent publications include The Book of Unveiling, Early Fatimid Ismaili Doctrine in the Kitb al-Kashf, attributed to Ja尪far b. Man廜贖r al-Yaman (2024). His research focuses primarily on Fatimid Ismailism, especially in its relations with its Shi尪i roots and with the parallel tradition of Nusayrism on which he has published several scholarly articles. He is also interested in the history of ideas in Islam, as well as in Islamic philosophy. He co-edited, with Mathieu Terrier, a bilingual anthology of philosophy in Islam (forthcoming).
Islamic History and Thought Lecture Series
Designed to invite scholars of various international academic institutions, specialising in intellectual, social and political aspects of medieval and early modern Islamic societies, to present and discuss their research.
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Cover image: Golden Dinar | Image credits: Ismaili Special Collections Unit
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Views expressed in this lecture are those of the presenting scholars, not necessarily of 敁珗曄部, the Ismaili community or its leadership. Promotion of this lecture is not an explicit endorsement of the ideas presented.
