Shaping a Qur'anic Worldview

Exploring the subjectivity of the QurE an's meaning in the world, this book analyses QurE anic referencing in Muslim political rhetoric. Informed by classical Arabic-Islamic rhetorical theory, the author examines Arabic documents attributed to the E AbbA sid Caliph al-MaE mA n (r. 813-833), whose rule coincided with the maturation of classical Islamic political thought and literary culture. She demonstrates how QurE A nic referencing functions as tropological exegesis, whereby verses in the QurE A n are reinterpreted through the lens of subjective experience. At the same time socio-historical experiences are understood in terms of the QurE A n's moral typology, which consists of interrelated polarities that define good and bad moral characters in mutual orientation. Through strategic deployment of scriptural references within the logical scheme of rhetorical argument, the Caliph constructs moral analogies between paradigmatic characters in the QurE A n and people in his social milieu, and situates himself as moral reformer and guide, in order to persuade his audiences of the necessity of the Caliphate and the religio-moral imperative of obedience to his authority. The MaE mA nid case study is indicative of the nature and function of QurE A nic referencing across historical periods, and thus contributes to broader conversations about the impact of the QurE A n on the shaping of Islamic civilization. This book is an invaluable resource for those with an interest in Early Islamic History, Islam and the rhetoric of contemporary Middle East regional and global Islamic politics.