Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Ali Bakr Hassan

NAME:
- Ali Bakr Hassan

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1995)

ADVISORS:
- Michael Morony

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: The role of merchants in the 'Abbasid Da'wah

Abstract: An in-depth analysis is conducted of the social, political, economic, and tribal background of the merchants who participated in the $\sp{rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{rm c}wah$ during the eighth century. This $da\sp{rm c}wah$ resulted in the downfall of the Umayyads and the rise of the $\sp{rm c}$Abbasids, and is known to many historians as the $\sp{rm c}$Abbasid Revolution of 132/750. Herein, light is shed on the term "merchant" (tajir) and the types of merchants in early Islam. Through a prosopographical historical framework, merchants of the $\sp{rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{rm c}wah$ are viewed in a broader scope among all other participants whose names are given by the early sources. Statistics on the tribal manpower contribution to the $\sp{rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{\rm c}wah$ are provided.

It is shown that merchants had a significant role in the 'Abbasid movement. They established a strong relationship with the warriors (muqatilah) which was based on mutual interests. They worked as propagandists for the 'Abbasid da, and formed a network of communication between the Imam in al-Humaymah, and the propagandists of the 'Abbasid organization in al-Kufah and Khurasan. In addition, merchants financed the da'wah with one fifth of their income. These contributions enabled the 'Abbasid organization to pay the warriors who participated in the armed struggle against the Umayyads.

Since the market (al-suq) was usually the meeting ground of merchants, this study also focuses on the significance of the suq in early Muslim society. It is shown that the suq was viewed as an economic source and a place for social events. This study shows that the suq also had political significance, which contributed a great deal to the discontent of the people of the suq, especially the merchant, towards the Umayyads and the policy of their governors.

It is concluded that the $\sp{\rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{\rm c}wah$ was not a merchant movement, but rather a movement organized, financed and led by merchants. Based on the statistics presented, it is also concluded that the Arab tribes of Yemenite background were more involved in the $\sp{\rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{\rm c}wah$ than those of Mudar and Rabi$\sp{\rm c}$ah.

An appendix is included which provides a detailed prosopography of the participants in the movement. These people, Arabs or mawali, are identified by tribe. The tribes are then classified based on their fifths and divisions. Participants of the $\sp{\rm c}$Abbasid $da\sp{\rm c}wah$ whose tribal background could not be determined are categorized as unknowns.

MPACT Scores for Ali Bakr Hassan

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2009-02-01 20:08:29

Advisors and Advisees Graph

generating graph, please reload

Students under Ali Bakr Hassan

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None