Land of the Prophet

Author: Compiled by Time-Life Books, Inc., Translated by Zhou Shangyi, Du Zhengzhen, Ma Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Abdu'l-Rahman was the leader of the Muslim territories in Spain, known as Al-Andalus. When foreign dignitaries paid him a visit, they were well aware that they were dealing with someone of immense power. As they entered the royal city of Cordoba, they were led through a three-mile-long corridor. On both sides of the path stood soldiers, their swords held high, the tips forming an arch above the guests' heads. Passing through this human and sword archway, the dignitaries had to continue forward on a magnificent carpet embroidered with silver threads, which stretched all the way to the palace. After that, they walked past a group of elegantly dressed people who lounged casually on luxurious furniture, each piece exuding regal grandeur. When the dignitaries believed they had reached the Caliph's presence, they bowed deeply, only to be told, "Look up! These are merely the Caliph's servants." When the dignitaries finally stood outside the Caliph's study, they had to gather their courage to meet this Caliph, who was behind the grand welcoming ceremony. The magnificent palace and the unforgettable army made it hard for the dignitaries to imagine what else might await them.
The Land of the Prophet: The Islamic World is part of the Living in Ancient Times series from Time-Life Books. This volume depicts the awe-inspiring life in the Caliph's court during the Muslim era in Spain, while also telling the stories of legendary men and women from the medieval Islamic world. It traces the footsteps of 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, drawn from the fascinating stories of merchants, muezzins, Bedouins, Berbers, Caliphs, and the Caliphs' consorts. Accompanying the narrative are colorful illustrations that convey the concept of the Islamic world to the 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 rivers in central India. The mosaics, reliefs, and contemporary paintings in the book depict the daily lives of the inhabitants of this vast Islamic world. For example, how scribes practiced their religious calligraphy, how hunters rode horses in pursuit of their prey with falcons perched on their wrists and dogs running alongside the horses, and how dancers wore lavish costumes and moved with grace. There are also photographs of exquisite items, such as delicate glass flasks, ornately decorated writing tool boxes, and earthenware water jars, which enrich the historical narrative.
To compile this series, the team 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 life in the past 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 opening overview is a thought-provoking historical essay, accompanied by a timeline, giving readers a clear understanding of the era being described. The narrative is engaging and avoids clichés. Every detail, image, anecdote, and historical fact will leave readers astonished—giving them a sense of what life was like in those distant times.