فصلنامه تاریخ اسلام
پیاپی 22 (تابستان 1384)

The purpose of this article is first, to emphasize the necessity of the expansion of historical methodology and epistemology studies in Iran and second, to critique a recent definition of the science of history in order to attract the attention of intellectuals to critical discussions. Thus, preparing grounds for a change in the rooted views and methods in this sphere through the critique of many of the prevalent traditions in the history education and research in Iran. After a brief review of some main defining elements and components of the science of history and outlining the shortcomings of the aforementioned definition in the book of "Islam and Iran; a Historical Review", the writer presents another definition for this science.

As a social trauma, extravagance and squander when afflicting an individaual or a section of a society will transmit to other classes and groups of society like a dangerous virus threatening the health of the human community. Religious leaders and sociologists have examined this social trauma in different societies. As a leader who bore the responsibility for the large-scale administration of his community, Muhammad (phuh) is a good model to: 1. Identify the phenomenon of extravagance and squander among the humans and human communities. 2. Prevent the rise of extravagant inclinations through diagnosing its symptoms. 3. Fighting and remedying extravagance based on his methods that are relevant even to modern societies.

With the advent of Islam and the beginning of Revelation, a new class rose to prominence in the Islamic community that came to be known as the ghurra' (the Readers of the Qur'an). They were ranked among the prominent and the elite in the Muslim community. To know the ghurra' and examine their role in the cultural and political developments of the 1ST century A.H. is the main point of this discussion.From the cultural point of view, the ghurra' were the leaders of thought and pioneers of production and spread of different branches of knowledge such as the Qur'an and its interpretation, figh'h (law), hadith (the Prophet's tradition), history and Arab literature in the Islamic civilization. With their presence in newly - conquered regions, they played an important role in the conquerd people's conversion to Islam. In their relations with governments, sometiomes they lent them support giving them legitimacy and strengthening their positions. At other times, they criticized them and protested their actions even to the extent of confrontation; thus sustaining different kinds of sufferings, some being imprisoned and beaten, others being lynched or sent into exile.

The purpose of this article is to examine the Christians' view of the Muslims throughout the Crusades. To do this, in addition to echnical sources, newer sources and researches have also been used. After a brief introduction on the reasons, trend and results of the Crusades, the status of the Muslim World at the times of the Crusades and the Christians' view of the Muslims in these periods are discussed. Next, the view of a Crusades eyewitness, the well-known Christian archbishop, William ..., towards Islam and Muslims is dealt with as a case study.

Khatun / ghatun / ghadin meaning lady, or pure and married women (generally) and noble women such as daughters of khaghans (the great khan) and khans and high-ranking officials (specifically) has been a major title in the history of Islam and in fact been a special title vis-ب-vis men's khan to respect and upgrade women and their ranks. The title "khatun" has a sogdian root and before the advent of Islam was used to refer to the rulers of China and Bukhara. Nevertheless, this title (with its own specific meaning) was also used in different parts of the Muslim World in the Islamic period. Aside from "Seyyedeh Malek Khatun" the first Shi'ah woman to come to power in Iran in 4th century A.H., khatun and other words analogous with it, like "bibi" and "seyyedeh" used to refer to Fatimah (pbuth), have had a special place in the jargon of the Twelver Shi'ah in Iran. While going through the etymology of the word khatun and its analogous word, this article examines the khatuns' political, social, religious and cultural role in various historical periods.

Following the elimination of its European rivals from the Indian trade arena, the East India British Company that had entered India with trade motives gradually stepped into the political arena, expanded its sphere of influence and finally took complete control of the country. Though the loss of independence was a tragedy to all Indians, to the Muslims who had been the country's ruling class for centuries the trauma of colonialism was even more painful. Thus, the Muslim community that was bearing the brunt of frustrations and damages during the Company's domination over India was waiting for an opportunity to be able to defend its existence and identity in the face of foreign threats and monopoly seeking Hindu and Sikh elements as well as rediscover its lost position under the motto of "revival of religious thought." The Muhammadiyah Tarighah is one of the movements that took shape in line with these goals and tried to adopt a jihadi approach as its main srtategy.Examining the birht of this movement and its plans and objectives, this article tries to shed light on some corners of the history of India's Muslim community in the struggle to free ifself from British colonial yoke.

Ibn abil-Hadid is a brilliant scholar of 7th century A.H. His most important work is his commentary on Nahj-ul-Balaghah, which is among the excellent ones done on this noble book.His vast knowledge and high level of open-mindedness, and his use of previous invaluable sources, many of which were desrtoyed in the Mongol invasion shortly after he finished his commentary, have greatly added to the value of this commentary.In this article, Ibn abil-Hadid's life, scholarly activities, religious and political inclinations, and his working style from the viewpoint of a Western researcher and of Encyclopedia of Islam writers are discussed and analyzed.