Between Revolution and State: the Path to Fatimid Statehood: Qadi al-Nuʿman and the Construction of Fatimid Legitimacy. Ismaili Heritage Series, 11. By Sumaiya A. Hamdani. London; New York: I. B. Tauris Publishers in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2006. Pp. xxvi, 210, including bibliographical references and index. $45.00 (hardback). ISBN: 9781850438823.
The dust jacket states that this work examines the most important works of al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān, an influential Islamic theologian and jurist under the Fatimids. The introduction states that the author will examine the significance of the Fatimid revolution and state during its own time, based on already known sources. The work goes on to describe how the Fatimids separated from other Shiʿite sects and expanded into North Africa. It also summarizes descriptions of the Fatimids from a variety of works written in the tenth century C.E., discusses the Fatimid religious policy, sessions, and public ceremonies intended to garner support from the variety of Islamic sects under their rule, and discusses the place of the Fatimid imams within Fatimid society.
The material discussed in Between Revolution and State is weighted more towards the general than towards an analysis of al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān’s works. Each chapter provides a general summary to set some aspect of the Fatimid state in relation to the rest of the Islamic world. The rest of each chapter summarizes some content from one of al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān’s works. The general summaries do not fully identify all the individuals mentioned in them, nor do they spell out background information in detail. This information is considerably more specialized than what is taught in introductory courses on the Middle East. Many undergraduates will not be prepared to fill in the background for themselves. Each chapter also has some discussion of al-Nuʿmān’s works. However, the works are not quoted and their overall structure is not described. Only some important points are presented. This method does not provide enough information about the works for graduate level work. On the positive side, Between Revolution and State is carefully footnoted and has an index. The bibliography includes the full range of well-known scholars on the Fatimids and Shiʿism. Unfortunately, the only diacritics used are alif and ʿayn.
This book should not be a high priority purchase. Although it does present some new material, it is a little too complex for many undergraduates and at the same time too general for advanced work.
Mary St. Germain
University of Washington Libraries