Publication – English
al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān: The Story of Job, The Foundation of Spiritual Hermeneutics (Asās al-Taʾwīl)
An Anthology of Ismaili Literature: A Shi’i Vision of Islam, 2008
Abstract:
The Fatimid jurist and author al-Qadi Abu Hanifa al-Nu’man (d. 363/974) served the Fatimids over the reigns of four imams, achieving his greatest prominence under the Imam al-Mu’izz (d. 365/975). While best known for his contributions to jurisprudence, al-Nu’man was also a poet, a historian and the author of works on esoteric matters. The selection below is from his Asas al-ta’wil (The Foundation of Spiritual Hermeneutics). In common with other Ismaili scholars, al-Nu’man affirmed that the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions have an exoteric as well as an esoteric dimension. In this work, he brings out the inner, spiritual meanings of the tales of the prophets, as in the ta’wil of the story of Job (Ayyub).
Cite this publication:
Virani, Shafique N. “al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān: The Story of Job, The Foundation of Spiritual Hermeneutics (Asās al-Ta’wīl).” In An Anthology of Ismaili Literature: A Shiʿi Vision of Islam. Edited by Hermann Landolt, Samira Sheikh and KutubKassam, 192-194. London: I.B.Tauris in association with Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2008.
Share what you’re reading on social media
If you liked this, you may also enjoy reading
Ibn Husam Khusfi: The Season of Orisons
Climbing the Virtual Minbar of Cyberspace
