The literary works of Shaykh Sîdî Al-Mukhtâr Al-Kuntî (d. 1811) : a study of the concept and role of “miracles” in al-Minna fî I'tiqâd Ahl al-Sunna

This essay looks at the relationship between History and Myth in the literature of the grand shaykh of the Qâdiri ṭarîqa of West Africa Shaykh al-Mukhtâr al-Kuntî (d.1811). It explores the role that "miracles" played in his society and how he dealt with this concept in his literary works. By looking at one of his major works, this study wishes to determine how he combined historical fact with myth and what the underlying reasons were for his approach. While the conclusion suggests that the Shaykh indeed employed myth within his writing it further shows how he used this mechanism to maintain a careful balance between his role as a traditional Islamic scholar and as a leader, thus strengthening his position as the head of the Kunta clan and the Qâdirî ṭarîqa.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Historical Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Moos, Ebrahiem

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jeppie, Shamil

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13447