SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Stress is particularly laid upon two aspects of Fatimid propaganda in Egypt, viz. Education and Literature. (1) Chapter I. An account of the Shi'ite propaganda up to the rise and establishment of the Fatimid Khilafah in N. Africa. The beginning of the Shi'ite propaganda in the reign of 'Uthman, the third Khalifah, its continuation during the Umayyad dynasty, and the passing of the right to the imamah from the 'Alids to the 'Abbasids, and their mutual hostilities after the establishment of the 'Abbasid Khilafah. The failure of subsequent Shi'ite propaganda to establish an independent 'Alid empire in the East, and the transference of this propaganda to the West (N. Africa) and the causes which favoured its success there. An account of Abu 'Abdi-llah's career of conquest in N. Africa up to the establishment of the Fatimid Khilafah. Chapter II. A discussion of the genealogy of the Fatimids. The importance of Egypt for the Fatimids in the efforts to spread their Shi'ite doctrines under the following headings: (a) the geographical situation of Egypt, between the East where Shi'ite propaganda had failed and the West where it succeeded in establishing an independent empire. (b) the wealth and tranquility of Egypt as compared with Muslim dominions in the East. (c) these circumstances as favouring the establishment the Fatimid authority in Egypt and in the East soon after their conquest of Egypt. (d) Egypt, rather than the Maghrib made by the Fatimid centre of Shi'ite propaganda. Chapter III. Educational propaganda: The organisation by the Fatimids of their propaganda in the mosques and libraries; the royal palace becomes the centre of Shi'ite propaganda, which is carried on by the Chief Da'i and his assistants and supported by the Fatimid Khalifahs themselves. Chapter IV. Literary Propaganda : The part played by the poets, scribes and learned men in the spread of the Fatimid propaganda and the influence upon these learned men, and the poets in particular, were of the lavish grants made by the Fatimid Khalifahs and their wazirs and other men of high status. Each separate reign of the Fatimid Khalifahs is considered in detail.