SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The importance of Abu CAbdullah Muhammad b. CAbdulkarim b. Muhammad al-Maghili as a Muslim missionary has been recognised in a general fashion by many an eminent scholar but no comprehensive study on him has yet been undertaken. This thesis attempts to give an account of the life al-Maghili and his teachings in an effort to understand his personality, his behaviour and the degree, of his contribution to the spread of Islam and Islamic culture in the Maghrib, the Sahara and Western Sudan. The primary concern of this study is al-Maghili Islamic teaching in general and, in particular, his teaching concerning the Jews of Tuwat. The thesis falls into six parts. Part one consists of one chapter which gives an introduction and a background. The introduction explains the purpose of the study and the sources upon which it has been based. The background contains an outline history of some of the petty kingdoms of the Maghrib and the situation of the Arabs and the Jews in as and Tuwat during the Marinid period. Part two attempts, in one chapter to give a comprehensive biography of al-Maghili's from his birth to his death. Part three also in one chapter explains briefly the wider context of al-Maghili's teachings, which include religious, political and social teachings. Part four consists of three chapters, a critical edition and a full translation of al-Maghili's treatise concerning the Jews and discusses, in the light of generally accosted Islamic views, the teachings contained in it. It also protrays and discusses in a like manner the controversy centred around the Jewish synagogue. The conclusion seeks to emphasise the personality and behaviour of al-Maghili, the significance of his teachings and actions, his successes and failures, and his influences. Part six is made up of ten appendices which include new editions of two more of al-Maghili's treatises, a list of his works, a tree of his purported pedigree and other items.