Dreams in the Islamic ‘Merits Literature’ of Palestine and Syria and Local Patriotism: Mamluk and Ottoman Texts

Abstract

Dreams in the classical period of Islam played an important role in the representation of Islamic thought and knowledge. This article distinguishes between the official view in Islam, whose approach was based on the Quran and hadith, and local currents. It examines the nature and phenomenon of dreams (ruyas, visions) as reported in books and manuscripts composed in Mamluk and Ottoman times, belonging to the genre known as ‘Fadail al-Sham’ (‘Praises or Merits of al-Sham’/Palestine and Syria 1 1 The expressions ‘al-Sham’ and ‘Holy Land’ in the Middle Ages and during the Ottoman period referred to either Palestine and Syria, or just Syria, or even just Damascus. For studies on Fadail al-Sham literature see, Anabseh (2006 ; (2007). For studies on the topic of Islamic dreams, see Lane (1944 : 189); Goldziher (1912 : 503–6); Von Grünebaum (1966: 10, 3–21); Kister (1974 : 67–103); Kinberg (1993 : 279–300; 1999: 79–85; 1985: 47–79; 1977: 2–166; Meri 2002: 181–4; 2002: 524–9; 1999: 34–40; 1999: 263–86; Al-Wardi (1986: 45–80). ). The article will argue that some of the traditions were put down in writing by prominent clerics of the time, while others have their origin in local folklore. The article also explores why these popular traditions emerged in the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. In addition to the religious motivation behind reports on sacred shrines, there were also political, regional and patriotic reasons for disseminating these traditions, due both to the struggle between Muslims and European Christians over the Holy Land as well as to competition of a popular local character.