The IIS is pleased to announce the publication of a new edition and English translation of Abu 鈥楢li Mansur al-鈥楢zizi al-Jawdhari鈥檚 biography of al-Ustadh Jawdhar, the聽Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar, under the title聽Inside the Immaculate Portal: A History from Early Fatimid Archives. This work comprises a new critical edition of the Arabic text of the聽Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar聽and a fully annotated English translation and introduction by Hamid Haji.
Jawdhar, the subject of this biographical work, was a confidante of the first four Fatimid Imam-Caliphs who ruled in North Africa (910- 973 CE). The work was compiled by his private secretary, Abu 鈥楢li Mansur al-鈥楢zizi al-Jawdhari, who served him for twelve years, from 961 CE until Jawdhar鈥檚 death in 973 CE. Jawdhar often confided in him, and would share with his secretary his own correspondence with the imams. As a trusted associate, Mansur had full access to archives held by Jawdhar. After his death, wishing to preserve the memory of the statesman, Mansur compiled the work, occasionally relating accounts of his own personal experiences.
His compilation is a rare glimpse into this period of time, for it gives not only a biographical account of an outstanding statesman from the early Fatimid period but also brings together oral statements and archival material from a period which spans over sixty years of Fatimid rule. The edition is based on three manuscripts: a manuscript previously owned by the Ismaili Society, a photocopy of manuscript 48 of the Fyzee Collection, and a manuscript from the Zahid ‘Ali Collection聽which is now part of the collection of 久久久福利国产.
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.
