Women in the `Abbasid Court and Beyond

1. Women in the `Abbasid Court and Beyond HIST 1007 10/9/13

2. What does it mean to be civilized? • When I say someone is civilized, what am I saying about them? • When I say someone is barbaric, what am I saying about them? • What impact does this have on the study of history?

3. CIVILIZATION!

4. BARBARIANS!

5. Judging the Past • On whose terms do we judge the past? • Positivism: Progressive historical narrative • Cultural Relativism: Our ideas are true only as far as our civilization extends • Empiricism: Use primary sources to judge the past on its own terms Leopold von Ranke, father of historical empiricism

6. Studying Women and the Family in Islamic History • Why is it difficult?

7. The Family in Pre-Islamic Arabia • Patriarchal agnatic clan • Extended family – several couples, their offspring, and clients over several generations • Under the authority of eldest or chief male • Group duties and responsibilities

8. The Family in Pre-Islamic Arabia • “Honor and Shame” • Defending individual members • Making restitution for individuals • Financial • Blood feud • All male relatives potentially responsible • The actions of one has real consequences for all • No individual control over decision making

9. Muhammad the Feminist • Enhanced status for women • Qur’an addresses women directly • Encourages marriage, discourages divorce • Protections for divorced women • Right for women to initiate divorce • Right for women to own and inherit property

10. Hadith on the Elevated Status of Mothers • A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim) • A man once consulted the Prophet Muhammad about taking part in a military campaign. The Prophet asked the man if his mother was still living. When told that she was alive, the Prophet said: “(Then) stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.” (Al-Tirmidhi) • On another occasion, the Prophet said: “God has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

11. Seclusion and Veiling • Older Mediterranean traditions • Typically associated with status • Qur’an encourages modesty, but also includes status argument • No evidence of seclusion during time of the Prophet • Women as transmitters of religious knowledge, political representatives, present in battle

12. Muhammad and His Wives • Khadija – Mother of Islam • Prophet’s first wife and first convert • Monogamous marriage • Older and wealthier widowed woman • Following Khadija’s death in 620, ten political marriages • Almost all to widows or divorcees Grave of Muhammad’s Widows

13. `A’ishabint Abu Bakr (ca. 613-678) • Mother of the Believers • Youngest wife of Muhammad, just entering puberty, age is contested • Important hadith transmitter • Advisor to Abu Bakr and `Umar • Participant in the First Fitna

14. Women and the Conquests • Captives and slaves • Polygyny and concubines • Harems • Created complex family structures • Acknowledged heirs with slave mothers