Land of the Prophet: The Islamic World

Author: Time-Life Books
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: At the wedding of Caliph al-Ma'mun and Bln, gifts were distributed. Bln was the 18-year-old daughter of the vizier, also known as the Grand Vizier of the Caliph. On the night of the wedding, the husband sat beside the newlyweds. The cushions were adorned with thousands of large pearls, and the gold trim and lapis lazuli on the cushions shone brilliantly. The honor guard tied the ceremonial sashes around the guests, and the father of the bride walked past them, distributing musk pouches and scent bags as large as melons. Inside each pouch was a slip of paper, inscribed with a piece of national property—a slave, a swift horse, or other valuable possessions—that the vizier gave to each guest as a reward. Setting aside all the debates, no wedding in that century could match this one. —Excerpted from The Land of the Prophets: The Islamic World by Abdul Rahman.
Abdul Rahman was the leader of the Muslim territories in Spain, known as Al-Andalus. When foreign dignitaries visited him, they knew they were dealing with someone of immense power. As they entered the royal city of Madina al-Talha, they were led through a three-mile-long corridor. On both sides of the path stood soldiers, their swords held high, their points forming an arch over the guests' heads. Passing through this corridor of men and swords, the dignitaries continued forward on a magnificent carpet embroidered with silver threads, stretching all the way to the palace. Then, they walked past a group of elegantly dressed people who lounged on luxurious furniture, each piece exuding regal grandeur. When the dignitaries believed they had reached the Caliph, they bowed deeply, but were told, "Look up! These are merely the Caliph's servants." When the dignitaries finally stood outside the Caliph's study, they mustered the courage to meet this Caliph, who was the one orchestrating this grand welcoming ceremony. The magnificent palace and unforgettable army made it hard for the dignitaries to imagine what else could follow.
The Land of the Prophets: The Islamic World is part of Time-Life Books' series Living in the Faraway Times, a world history series. This volume depicts the admirable life in the Caliph's court during the Muslim period in Spain, as well as the legendary men and women of the medieval Islamic world. It traces the footsteps of the rulers who spread the faith of the Prophet, governing vast lands from Spain to the Indian subcontinent. The book is based on contemporary documents, memoirs, religious texts, government records, and other historical materials from merchants, muezzins, Bedouins, Berbers, the Caliph, and the Caliph's concubines, all of whom tell fascinating stories. Accompanying the narrative are colorful illustrations that convey the concept of the Islamic world to readers. The Islamic world spans from the deserts of Africa to the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia, from the coast of Sicily to the banks of the central Indian rivers. The mosaics, reliefs, and contemporary paintings in the book depict the daily lives of the people in this vast Islamic world—how scribes practiced their religious calligraphy, how hunters rode horses in pursuit of prey with falcons perched on their wrists and dogs running alongside the horses, how dancers wore lavish costumes and moved with grace. There are also photographs of exquisite glass flasks, ornate writing tool boxes, and water jars used in daily life, all of which enrich the historical tapestry.
To compile this series, the colleagues at Time-Life Books immersed themselves in the collections of scholars, travelers, museums, and universities. They not only provided each book with rich illustrations of artworks and handicrafts to vividly recreate the lost way of life but also created various maps, reconstructions of cities and buildings, and other visuals to reconstruct the entire world in which the stories took place. The introductory overview is a profound historical essay, accompanied by a timeline, giving readers a clear picture of the era in question. The narrative is engaging and avoids clichés. Every detail, every image, every anecdote, and every historical fact will surprise and refresh readers—allowing them to experience what life was like in those distant times.