In the literary traditions of Islamic literatures (first of all in Arabic and Persian, but even in Malay),ImamAli b. Abi Talibhas become the protagonist of narrative events that make him the heroic prototype of the struggle between Good and Evil. This lecture will try to trace the origins of this heroic model focusing on some verses dedicated to the firstShiiteImamby the poet al-Sayyid al-Himyari (105/723-179/795), initially known as the literary spokesperson of theKaysaniyyasect, then allegedly converted to Imami Shiism. Through the literary character ofImamAli as featured in his poetry, it is possible to consider that al-Sayyid al-Ḥimyari’s role is as controversial as it is fundamental for the understanding of some aspects of the historical shift fromKaysaniyyato Imamite Shiism.
Date:8 December 2022 Time:5.00 pm – 6.30 pm GMT Location:Aga KhanCentre and online (Zoom)
Q&A:At any time during the lecture, attendees can submit questions to the speaker through the Q&A option at the bottom of the control panel. As time allows, the speaker will address as many questions as they can during the Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
Recording:Please note that the session will be recorded and published on the IIS website, and on the IIS YouTube channel.
Leonardo Capezzone is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Sapienza-University of Rome, Department of Oriental Studies, where he teaches History of the Islamic world and Cultural History of Medieval Islam. His interest is in the cultural and religious history of medieval Islam, with a special concern with the history of early ‘iSee Shi‘a. and other expressions of religious and intellectual dissent in the Islamic Middle Ages.
