This publication brings together a new critical edition of the Arabic text, an introduction and a fully annotated English translation of the S蘋rat al-Ustdh Jawdhar. It contains oral statements, correspondence and other archival material from a period spanning over sixty years of Fatimid rule, providing a biographical account of one of the most prominent statesmen of the early Fatimid period, Ustdh Jawdhar.
Jawdhar was a confidant of the first four Fatimid Imam-caliphs who ruled in North Africa (910973 CE). The author of the work, Ab贖 尪Al蘋 Man廜贖r al-尪Az蘋z蘋 al-Jawdhar蘋, was a private secretary to Jawdhar. Man廜贖r had access to archives held by Jawdhar, including letters he received from the imams, and was also a trusted associate. After Jawdhars death in 973 CE, the Fatimid Imam-caliph al-Mu尪izz appointed Man廜贖r to succeed him. The author cherished the memory of his mentor and wished to commemorate him. With this end in view, he compiled the S蘋rat al-Ustdh Jawdhar during the time of Imam-caliph al-Mu尪izzs successor, Imam-caliph al-尪Az蘋z billh (r. 975996 CE).
The publication also includes maps of North Africa and Sicily, genealogical charts of the FatimidsMajor Muslim dynasty of Ismaili caliphs in North Africa (from 909) and later in Egypt (9731171) More of Ifr蘋qiya and the Ban贖 Ab蘋 al-廎工sayn al-Kalb蘋 of Sicily, a bibliography, indices in English and Arabic and a chronology summarising relevant events. This publication provides a unique insight into the private world and political ethos of one of the major Muslim dynasties of the medieval era, and will be of interest to academics and students alike.
Acknowledgements
Chronology
Map 1: North Africa (4th/10th century)
Map 2: Sicily (4th/10th century)
Table 1: The Fatimids of Ifr蘋qiya
Table 2: The Kalbids of Sicily
Introduction
Translation of the S蘋rat al-Ustdh Jawdhar
Part I: Biography
1. Jawdhar begins to serve al-Mahd蘋
2. Jawdhar acquires al-Mahd蘋s blessing
3. Jawdhar left in charge of al-Q尨ims palace
4. Jawdhar becomes official at the Treasury
5. Jawdhar made privy to al-Man廜贖rs designation as heir apparent
6. A letter from al-Man廜贖r, heir apparent, to Jawdhar
7. The first written directive from al-Q尨im to Jawdhar
8. al-Q尨im shuns forbidden goods
9. al-Q尨ims advice to al-Man廜贖r regarding Jawdhar
10. Jawdhar left to govern the entire country
11. Letter of al-Man廜贖r proclaiming his victory over Abu Yazid
12. Letter of al-Man廜贖r announcing the death of al-Q尨im
13. Letter of al-Man廜贖r concerning money that Jawdhar had offered to him
14. Letter of al-Man廜贖r to Jawdhar
15. The defeat of Ab贖 Yaz蘋d Makhlad b. Kaydd
16. Jawdhar is freed from bondage and receives his honorific title
17. Jawdhars name is inscribed on embroidered garments and carpets
18. al-Man廜贖r honours Jawdhar
19. al-Man廜贖rs treasure stores entrusted to Jawdhar
20. Sermon of al-Q尨im delivered by al-Marwaz蘋
21. Sermon of al-Man廜贖r announcing the death of al-Q尨im
22. al-Man廜贖r gifts newly minted coins to Jawdhar
23. Letter of al-Man廜贖r concerning a gift for the ByzantineThe late medieval Roman Empire which ruled large parts of Southern Europe and the Middle East from its capital Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), conquered by the Turks in 1453 CE. emperor
24. Letter of al-Man廜贖r concerning the inhabitants of the palace
25. Another letter concerning the inhabitants of the palace
26. Letter from al-Man廜贖r concerning his uncles and brothers
27. Letter of al-Man廜贖r concerning certain troublemakers
28. Letter of al-Man廜贖r regarding the rebels of Sicily
29. Last letter of al-Man廜贖r to Jawdhar
30. Letters of al-Mu尪izz informing Jawdhar of the death of al-Man廜贖r
31. Letter of al-Mu尪izz in reply to a request that Jawdhar had made to him
32. Sermon of al-Mu尪izz announcing the death of al-Man廜贖r
33. A note from Jawdhar to al-Mu尪izz and the latters reply
Part II: Documents
1. On the transportation of barley to Sicily
2. al-Mu尪izzs instructions to have a prayer mat made for a Slav
3. Jawdhars letter about the conduct of a Slav, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
4. Disagreement between the Treasury director and an official of the mint
5. al-Mu尪izzs reply to a personal note from Jawdhar
6. Horses gifted by Jawdhar to the Ban贖 Ab蘋 al-廎工sayn al-Kalb蘋
7. Jawdhars offer of money to al-Mu尪izz, and the latters reply
8. Another personal note from Jawdhar regarding his plea, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
9. A governors complaint against some Berbers
10. Jawdhar seeks permission to accept a gift from the governor of Barqa, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
11. Jawdhars request for a pass to cover expenses for the upkeep of camels, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
12. Jawdhars note about a pledge by a Slav to pay for houses administered by him, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
13. On litigation about pastures
14. Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
15. Jawdhars request regarding a son of his secretary, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
16. On materials for shipbuilding
17. Interception of letters of two sons of Qsim, son of al-Q尨im, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
18. Jawdhars complaint about a governor, and al-Mu尪izzs instructions to the commander Jawhar
19. On surveillance of correspondence between some members of the Fatimid family
20. Ab贖 尪Abd Allh, son of al-Q尨im, forbidden to engage in wailing
21. Jawdhar authorised to have saman mats made for himself
22. al-Mu尪izz attempts to reconcile Ja尪far b. 尪Al蘋 b. 廎兀mdun and Y贖suf b. Z蘋r蘋
23. The director of the naval storehouses forbidden to store supplies in a mosque
24. Order to expedite the purchase of maritime provisions
25. Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
26. A shroud for an officials son
27. Condolences for the death of a servant
28. Order to execute captains of ships which left for Sicily in breach of instructions
29. Jawdhars reminder regarding his request, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
30. Jawdhars complaint about a Slav sent to procure slaves for the palace, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
31. Jawdhars note concerning Ahmad, son of al-Mahd蘋, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
32. Jawdhars reminder concerning his request, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
33. Another note of Jawdhar concerning his request, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
34. Jawdhars request for an order to expedite maritime supplies, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
35. Jawdhars indisposition, and al-Mu尪izzs concern for Jawdhars health
36. Rumours that Jawdhar would be appointed to govern Ifr蘋qiya after al-Mu尪izzs departure for Egypt
37. Concerning permits for officials travelling to Egypt
38. al-Mu尪izz sends to Jawdhar spring water and Fatimid dinars minted in Egypt
39. Jawdhars illness, his renewed appeal, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
40. On the building of a wall around Zaw蘋la
41. Jawdhars reminder regarding his request
42. al-Mu尪izz gives Jawdhar leggings worn by al-Man廜贖r and himself
43. Jawdhars note regarding the salary of his prot矇g矇, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
44. Jawdhars concern for al-Mu尪izzs health, and the latters reply
45. Complaint about the commissioner of al-Mahdiyya, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
46. Concerning disagreements between some members of the Kalbi family
47. A shroud for an employee of the maritime administration
48. The use of revenues from the domains of Muzaffar the Slav
49. Regarding a letter from the governor of Sicily, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
50. Concerning a drunken secretary
51. Letter from the governor of Tripoli about expenditure for the fleet, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
52. Jawdhars offer to provide wood for shipbuilding, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
53. Jawdhars request concerning the son of a secretary to receive his fathers emoluments
54. Prince Tam蘋ms companionship with 廜珀hir, son of A廎叮ad b. al-廎兀san
55. al-Mu尪izz pays tribute to a secretary after his death
56. al-Mu尪izz accepts a gift of wood from Jawdhar
57. A land dispute between Jawdhars agent and a man of the Kutma
58. Jawhars request relating to inheritance and purchase of property
59. Jawdhars complaint about abuses committed by a district governor, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
60. Jawdhars report on the activities of an Umayyad agent in al-Mas蘋la, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
61. Jawdhars wish not to importune al-Mu尪izz
62. On the release of Muslim prisoners from Byzantine Custody
63. Jawdhars note relating to maritime supplies, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
64. Jawdhars request to grant a domain to a secretarys son, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
65. The treatment of some slaves who apostatised after having embraced Islam
66. On Ja尪far b. Man廜贖r al-Yamans financial predicament and al-Mu尪izzs help to him
67. Jawdhars request for a ship to replace one that perished, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
68. Concerning the death of al-廎兀san b. 尪Al蘋The elder of 尪Al蘋s two sons (d. c. 669) by Fatima, and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. in Sicily
69. Finances of the governor Ja尪far b. 尪Al蘋 b. 廎兀mdun
70. al-Mu尪izz allows Ja尪far to continue to administer the province in spite of lower financial returns to the Treasury
71. Jawdhars note to al-Mu尪izz defending the interests of the Treasury, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
72. Concerning rumours about Jawdhars concern for the Kalb蘋 brothers
73. Concerning alienation between Jawdhar and Mu廎仟mmad b. al-廎兀san b. 尪Al蘋 al-Kalb蘋
74. al-Mu尪izz binds Jawdhar to Jawhar by a pact of brotherhood
75. About an agreement between Jawdhar and the governor of Sicily regarding his ships cargo
76. Jawdhar asks al-Mu尪izzs permission to gift a precious rug to Prince Abd Allah
77. al-Mu尪izz expresses regret at the loss of Jawdhars ship which perished
78. Concerning a request to turn a house adjoining Dr al-Ba廎叵 into a storehouse for naval equipment
79. Concerning a request by al-廎兀san b. 尪Al蘋s mother to buy a house near the palace
80. Concerning a promise made by al-Mu尪izz to al-廎兀san b. 尪Ammr
81. Jawdhars request to al-Mu尪izz for an item of his clothing to serve him as a shroud, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
82. Jawdhar is received in al-Man廜贖riyya by al-Mu尪izzs sons, brothers and dignitaries of the state
83. Ja尪far b. 尪Al蘋 b. 廎兀mduns correspondence regarding raising revenue for the Treasury, and al-Mu尪izzs reply
84. Prince 尪Abd Allh replies to Jawdhars letter requesting mules, with al-Mu尪izzs response
85. Account of Jawdhars final journey, his frail condition, and his last meeting with al-Mu尪izz at Ajdbiya
86. Jawdhar enters Barqa gravely ill; Prince Abd Allahs letter to Jawdhar on al-Mu尪izzs behalf; Jawdhars death and burial
Bibliography
English Index
Arabic Index
Arabic Text
Hamid Haji is a specialist in Fatimid literature. He studied at the Sorbonne and is currently a Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies. His publications include Founding the Fatimid State: The Rise of an Early Islamic Empire (London, 2006).