| ID | 095107 |
| Title Proper | Liminal craft, exceptional law |
| Other Title Information | preliminary notes on midwives in medieval Islamic writings |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Giladi, Avner |
| Publication | 2010. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | In his monumental "Introduction to History," al-Muqaddima, Ibn Khaldun, the well-known Muslim historiographer and philosopher of history (d. 1406 a.d.), dedicates a whole chapter to midwifery (?in??at al-tawl?d) that is as original in conception as it is rich in detail. The chapter is included in Part V, which offers a survey of professions and crafts-"the 'accidents' of sedentary culture"-that for Ibn Khaldun reflect the sophistication of urban life. Within this survey, midwifery ranks among the most basic crafts (ummah?t al-?an??i?), being "something necessary in civilization and a matter of general concern, because it assures, as a rule, the life of the newborn child." Moreover, like "the art of writing, book production, singing, and medicine," midwifery is regarded as a noble craft because of the subject that is at the heart of it (shar?f bi-l-maw???). |
| `In' analytical Note | International Journal of Middle East Studies Vol. 42, No. 2; may 2010: p185-202 |
| Journal Source | International Journal of Middle East Studies Vol. 42, No. 2; may 2010: p185-202 |
| Key Words | Liminal Craft ; Exceptional Law ; Law ; Midwives ; Islamic Writings ; Islamic Literature |