Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Contents VII
3. Note on pronunciation IX
4. Preface XI
5. Acknowledgments XIX
6. Introduction 1
7. Essentials
8. 1. Argument 7
9. 2. Prism 26
10. Foundations
11. 3. Muhammad 49
12. 4. Death and debate 77
13. Historical success and crisis
14. 5. Islam and potent glory 103
15. 6. Bubonic plague 115
16. Interlude 129
17. Cultural Survival
18. 7. Sharifi resolution: the Sa‘di blood descendants 135
19. 8. Prophet’s Birthday: light’s truth 157
20. 9. The ‘Alawi blood descendants 175
21. 10. First marriage 188
22. 11. Bride’s blood 206
23. 12. Ram’s blood: Great Sacrifice 221
24. 13. Ibrahim myth 233
25. 14. Metaphor 245
26. 15. Sexuality and sacrifice 255
27. Twentieth-century success
28. 16. Colonial dichotomy 275
29. 17. Body and soul 291
30. Appendix A. Prophetic Blood Links: Patrilines Close to the Prophet and Political Inheritors 311
31. Appendix B. Partial Genealogy of ‘Alawi 312
32. Notes 315
33. Glossary 327
34. References 337
35. Index 359