Religious Intertextuality in Ibn Al-Sayrafi’s Al-Afdhaliyyat: Manifestations and Implications

Abstract

This study meticulously explores the manifestations of religious intertextuality within Al-Afdhaliyyat, a collection of correspondences authored by Abu Al-Qasim Ali Ibn Munjab Ibn Sulaiman, widely esteemed as Ibn Al-Sayrafi. As a distinguished literary figure of the Fatimid era in Egypt, Ibn Al-Sayrafi’s oeuvre provides a fertile ground for investigating the intricate dynamics of intertextual interactions. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, this study systematically identifies and categorizes instances of intertextuality in these letters, with a particular emphasis on religious allusions and references. The primary objective is to conduct a comparative analysis between the literary components of Al-Afdhaliyyat and pertinent religious scriptures, thereby unveiling the complex interconnections underpinning these textual relationships. Findings reveal that Ibn Al-Sayrafi employs various forms of religious intertextuality, including direct quotations, indirect allusions, nuanced hints, and thematic absorptions, which enhance both the aesthetic and persuasive dimensions of his correspondence. These intertextual references serve to elevate the formal qualities of the prose, symbolically influence recipients by appealing to moral virtues, and reinforce doctrinal concepts integral to Fatimid theology. The study concludes that religious intertextuality in Al-Afdhaliyyat functions as a multifaceted tool that embellishes the text, persuades the recipient, and conveys complex doctrinal messages. This study contributes to academic discourse by applying contemporary literary theory to a relatively underexplored corpus, thereby enriching the understanding of Fatimid literary traditions and highlighting the pivotal role of intertextuality in literary analysis.