EARLY IBĀḌĪ JURISPRUDENCE: THE LETTERS OF ǦĀBIR IBN ZAYD AL-AZDĪ

Abstract

Correspondence offers privileged access to the social, political, and religious discourses in the formative phase of the schools of Islam. The letters of Ǧābir ibn Zayd, who was to become one of the founding figures of the Ibāḍiyya, held a prominent position in the community life of his followers. This study, an edition and translation of the letters of Ǧābir ibn Zayd, will serve to clarify and complete the historical record, at the same time highlighting their author’s unique contribution to the development of an Ibāḍi school of jurisprudence. Though attempts have been made to edit and interpret the fatwas included in Ǧābir’s letters, this thesis for the first time presents them in a complete edition with translation and commentary. Further, the present work is based on three manuscripts rather than the single one known earlier. Only after an extended search could the two additional manuscripts of Ǧābir’s letters be retrieved from private libraries. After carefully examining and comparing the differences, the present thesis offers a comprehensive edition of the letters which shall, it is hoped, assist future studies focusing on jurisprudence in early Islam.