Islamic Historiography as Polemic Literature: Deconstructing Biographies of Medieval Jewish Converts

Abstract

Abstract This article considers biographical material on Jewish converts authored by Muslim historians, primarily in Mamluk Egypt and Syria from the 13th to 15th centuries, enumerating and analyzing its recurring themes. Among its key findings is that the motifs found in this material are consonant with Islamic theological perceptions of other faith-based groups, especially the Jews. These themes also reflect their writers’ notion of exemplary history. Beyond this, I suggest that the main objective behind the texts under review is the affirmation of basic principles espoused in the Qurʾān, ḥadīth, and the sīrah for the purpose of demonstrating the veracity and superiority of the Muslim faith.