Sacred Place and Sacred Time in the Medieval Islamic Middle East: A Historical Perspective

A groundbreaking study reveals the interconnectedness of sacred place and time in medieval Islamic society, challenging conventional narratives by demonstrating how shrines and lunar calendar months functioned as dynamic elements of religious experience. The research focuses on the shrine of Husayn's head, a relic central to Shiʿa tradition but also venerated in Sunni-dominated regions like Damascus and Ascalon, where its journey and controversies reflect complex historical and political motivations. Additionally, it explores the sacred month of Rajab, showing how ancient traditions were revived and integrated into Islamic practice, often sponsored by states like the Fatimids to bridge religious divides. The study employs a comparative approach, analyzing medieval texts alongside modern scholarship to highlight the continuity between popular religion and theological thought, offering new insights into the foundations of Islam's sacred space and time.

Petersen, A. (2021). Sacred Place and Sacred Time in the Medieval Islamic Middle East: A Historical Perspective. Bustan: The Middle East Book Review, 12(1), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.5325/bustan.12.1.0069