Martyrdom in the Mamluk Egypt in the Early Bahri Period (1252-1299)

Abstract

Martyrdom for the faith (‘‘istishhādiyya(t)’) is one of the most important concepts in Islam, which got a detailed theological discu­ssion in the Middle Ages and continues to be of high significance in the present period. However, its meaning was a subject to changes depending on a historical period and geographical area.

The paper argues that the institution of martyrdom was simp­lified as much as possible in the early Bahri period (the second half of the 13^th century). Moreover, it has become an element in the process of glorification and legitimization of the reign of the sultan al-Mansur Qalawun [1279-1290] in many aspects regardless the actual contr­ibut­ion of a proclaimed ‘shahid’. Thus, this gap between the considerations of the ruling elite and views of the Islamic circles on martyrdom was deepened. For example, For the attribution of a Mamluk amir, it was preferable that he demonstrate his loyalty to the sultan and even more preferable that he be from among the amirs of the sultan al-Mansur Qalawun.