Exploring Legal Frameworks and Social Realities: A Comparative Study of Ismāʿīlī Women in Fatimid Egypt and the Contemporary Dawoodi Bohra Community

This dissertation examines the influence of Kitāb Daʿāʾim al-Islām, the seminal legal text by the eminent Fatimid jurist al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān, on the lives of Ismāʿīlī women in Fatimid Cairo and its enduring impact on the Dawoodi Bohra community. The study investigates how the legal and doctrinal principles articulated in the Daʿāʾim were reflected in the daily lives, educational opportunities, and occupations of women during the Fatimid era, while emphasizing the gender equity promoted by this legal system. By drawing on historical texts, official correspondence, and documentary evidence, the dissertation bridges the gap between legal theory and the lived experiences of women in Fatimid Cairo. The study also explores the legacy of the Daʿāʾim in the Dawoodi Bohra community, which traces its spiritual heritage to the Fatimids. It examines how the teachings of the Daʿāʾim continue to shape the lives of Bohra women, particularly in the realms of education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Reflecting on the researcher’s positionality as a member of this community, the dissertation acknowledges how this background informs the analysis. Ultimately, this dissertation argues that the gender-equitable principles embedded in Fatimid jurisprudence have not only endured but have been actively preserved and practiced within the Dawoodi Bohra community, demonstrating the lasting influence of Fatimid legal thought on modern Ismāʿīlī women’s lives.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

mres

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Husain, Insiyah Adnan

• BP Islam. Bahaiaeth. Theosoffi, ac yn y blaen
• HQ Y teulu. Priodas. Benyw.

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3131