Inside the Immaculate Portal

The author of this work, Abu Ali Mansur al-Azizi al-Jawdhari, was a private secretary of Jawdhar, a confidant of the first four Fatimid caliph-imams who ruled in North Africa (from 297/910 to 361/972). Mansur had easy access to archives held by Jawdhar, including letters he had received from the imams, and was also privy to secrets that Jawdhar confided to him. After Jawdhar's death in 362/973, the Fatimid caliph-imam al-Mu'izz appointed Mansur to succeed him. The author cherished the memory of his mentor and wished to commemorate him. With this end in view, he compiled the Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar, edited and translated here as Inside the Immaculate Portal. The work presents not only a biographical account of one of the most prominent statesman of the early Fatimid period, but, more importantly, it brings together oral statements, correspondence and other archival material from the period spanning over sixty years of Fatimid rule. The Sirat al-Ustadh Jawdhar was written during the time of al-Mu'izz's successor al-'Aziz bi-llah(r. 365-386/975-996). It is divided into two parts. The first part contains an account of the life and career of Jawdhar, from his entering the service of the Fatimids under al-Mahdi to his death sixty years later during the reign of al-Mu'izz. The biography is interspersed with some sermons and correspondence of the imams with Jawdhar on a variety of subjects, both personal and political. The second part is largely a documentary collection of 86 letters, directives, recorded conversations and letters of the Fatimid caliph-imams addressed to Jawdhar. Altogether, this publication provides a unique insight into the private world and political ethos of one of the major Muslim dynasties of the medieval era.

• AcknowledgementsChronologyMap 1: North Africa (4th/10th century)Map 2: Sicily (4th/10th century)Table 1: The Fatimids of Ifr?qiyaTable 2: The Kalbids of SicilyIntroductionTranslation of the S?rat al-Ust?dh JawdharPart One: Biography 1 Jawdhar begins to serve al-Mahd?2 Jawdhar acquires al-Mahd?’s blessing3 Jawdhar left in charge of al-Q?'im’s palace4 Jawdhar becomes official at the Treasury5 Jawdhar made privy to al-Mans?r’s designation as heir apparent6 A letter from al-Mans?r, heir apparent, to Jawdhar7 The first written directive from al-Q?'im to Jawdhar8 al-Q?'im shuns forbidden goods9 al-Q?'im’s advice to al-Mans?r regarding Jawdhar10 Jawdhar left to govern the entire country11 Letter of al-Mans?r proclaiming his victory over Ab? Yaz?d12 Letter of al-Mans?r announcing the death of al-Q?'im13 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning money that Jawdhar had offered to him14 Letter of al-Mans?r to Jawdhar15 The defeat of Ab? Yaz?d Makhlad b. Kayd?d16 Jawdhar is freed from bondage and receives his honorific title17 Jawdhar’s name is inscribed on embroidered garments and carpets18 al-Mans?r honours Jawdhar19 al-Mans?r’s treasure stores entrusted to Jawdhar20 Sermon of al-Q?'im delivered by al-Marwaz?21 Sermon of al-Mans?r announcing the death of al-Q?'im22 al-Mans?r gifts newly minted coins to Jawdhar23 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning a gift for the Byzantine emperor24 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning the inhabitants of the palace25 Another letter concerning the inhabitants of the palace26 Letter from al-Mans?r concerning his uncles and brothers27 Letter of al-Mans?r concerning certain troublemakers28 Letter of al-Mans?r regarding the rebels of Sicily29 Last letter of al-Mans?r to Jawdhar30 Letters of al-Muizz informing Jawdhar of the death of al-Mans?r31 Letter of al-Muizz in reply to a request that Jawdhar had made to him32 Sermon of al-Muizz announcing the death of al-Mans?r33 A note from Jawdhar to al-Muizz and the latter’s replyPart Two: Documents1 On the transportation of barley to Sicily2 al-Muizz’s instructions to have a prayer mat made for a Slav3 Jawdhar’s letter about the conduct of a Slav, and al-Muizz’s reply4 Disagreement between the Treasury director and an official of the mint5 al-Muizz’s reply to a personal note from Jawdhar 6 Horses gifted by Jawdhar to the Ban? Ab? al-Husayn al-Kalb?7 Jawdhar’s offer of money to al-Muizz, and the latter’s reply8 Another personal note from Jawdhar regarding his plea, and al-Muizz’s reply9 A governor’s complaint against some Berbers10 Jawdhar seeks permission to accept a gift from the governor of Barqa, and al-Muizz’s reply11 Jawdhar’s request for a pass to cover expenses for the upkeep of camels, and al-Muizz’s reply12 Jawdhar’s note about a pledge by a Slav to pay for houses administered by him, and al-Muizz’s reply13 On litigation about pastures14 Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Muizz’s reply15 Jawdhar’s request regarding a son of his secretary, and al-Muizz’s reply16 On materials for shipbuilding17 Interception of letters of two sons of Q?sim, son of al-Q?'im, and al-Muizz’s reply18 Jawdhar’s complaint about a governor, and al-Muizz’s instructions to the commander Jawhar19 On surveillance of correspondence between some members of the Fatimid family20 Ab? Abd All?h, son of al-Q?'im, forbidden to engage in wailing21 Jawdhar authorised to have s?m?n mats made for himself22 al-Muizz attempts to reconcile Jafar b. Al? b. Hamd?n and Y?suf b. Z?r?23 The director of the naval storehouses forbidden to store supplies in a mosque24 Order to expedite the purchase of maritime provisions25 Another request from Jawdhar, and al-Muizz’s reply26 A shroud for an official’s son27 Condolences for the death of a servant28 Order to execute captains of ships which left for Sicily in breach of instructions29 Jawdhar’s reminder regarding his request, and al-Muizz’s rep