Overview

An in-depth scholarly study of the institution of ziyara (visiting tombs), and its central role in the cult of Muslim saints in late medieval Egypt (1200-1500 A.D.), this text aims to contribute to the study of the social history of religion. It explores the range of meanings that saints held for the contemporary imagination through richly-textured descriptions and analysis of the great cemetery of al-Qarafa, the rituals of the ziyara, and the entertaining stories told to pious visitors about the saints. It thus provides a sense of the expression of Muslim spirituality. Through an examination of legal debates surrounding ziyara, the dichomotous view of ""high"" versus ""popular"" religion is effectively challenged in favour of a more fluid model of cultural discourse.

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9789004110465

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Reviews

'.. .a welcome addition to a badly underexamined phenomenon.'<br>Brannon Wheeler, Religious Studies Review, 1999.<br>' I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the fascinating field of Muslim saint worship, both in the past and in the present.'<br>Nico Kaptein, Biblioteca Orientalis, 1999.<br>' Taylor was able to extract from his material a highly interesting, often intriguing portrait of this subject'<br>Paul E. Walker, Mamlbk Studies Review, 2000.<br>' an important contribution to the study of medieval Muslim religious practice.'<br>Adam Sabra, Al-Abbath, 1999.<br>' This interesting and well-written book is an important contribution to the social and religious history of Egypt in the Mamluk periodthis is a fine and significant book, which greatly increases our understanding of teh complicated and rich nature of religious life under the Mamluk in Egypt.'<br>Reuven Amitai, Journal of American Oriental Society, 2000.<br>

' ...a welcome addition to a badly underexamined phenomenon. ' Brannon Wheeler, Religious Studies Review , 1999. ' I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the fascinating field of Muslim saint worship, both in the past and in the present. ' Nico Kaptein, Biblioteca Orientalis , 1999. ' Taylor was able to extract from his material a highly interesting, often intriguing portrait of this subject ' Paul E. Walker, Mamlak Studies Review , 2000. ' an important contribution to the study of medieval Muslim religious practice. ' Adam Sabra, Al-Abbath , 1999. ' This interesting and well-written book is an important contribution to the social and religious history of Egypt in the Mamluk period this is a fine and significant book, which greatly increases our understanding of teh complicated and rich nature of religious life under the Mamluk in Egypt. ' Reuven Amitai, Journal of American Oriental Society , 2000.

'...a welcome addition to a badly underexamined phenomenon.' Brannon Wheeler, Religious Studies Review, 1999. '…I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the fascinating field of Muslim saint worship, both in the past and in the present.' Nico Kaptein, Biblioteca Orientalis, 1999. '… Taylor was able to extract from his material a highly interesting, often intriguing portrait of this subject…' Paul E. Walker, Mamlâk Studies Review, 2000. '…an important contribution to the study of medieval Muslim religious practice.' Adam Sabra, Al-Abbath, 1999. 'This interesting and well-written book is an important contribution to the social and religious history of Egypt in the Mamluk period…this is a fine and significant book, which greatly increases our understanding of teh complicated and rich nature of religious life under the Mamluk in Egypt.' Reuven Amitai, Journal of American Oriental Society, 2000.

'...a welcome addition to a badly underexamined phenomenon.' Brannon Wheeler, Religious Studies Review, 1999. '...I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the fascinating field of Muslim saint worship, both in the past and in the present.' Nico Kaptein, Biblioteca Orientalis, 1999. '... Taylor was able to extract from his material a highly interesting, often intriguing portrait of this subject...' Paul E. Walker, Mamlak Studies Review, 2000. '...an important contribution to the study of medieval Muslim religious practice.' Adam Sabra, Al-Abbath, 1999. 'This interesting and well-written book is an important contribution to the social and religious history of Egypt in the Mamluk period...this is a fine and significant book, which greatly increases our understanding of teh complicated and rich nature of religious life under the Mamluk in Egypt.' Reuven Amitai, Journal of American Oriental Society, 2000.

Author Information

Christopher S. Taylor, Ph.D. (1989) in Near Eastern Studies, Princeton, is Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Middle East Studies Program at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

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