Realm of the Saint: Power and Authority in Moroccan Sufism. - Review - book review

Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ), Fall, 2000 by Tamara Albertini

Cornell's book is a precious contribution to the study of Sufism and sainthood in Morocco, an area that is indeed still largely overshadowed by scholars' greater interest in Arabic Spain. Realm of the Saint, will doubtlessly change this. However, one critical remark seems appropriate. Female readers will be disappointed to find very scarce information shedding light upon women's involvement in Moroccan Sufism. The author mentions the existence of female zawaya (quais-monastic institutions). However, only two women are referred to by name: the prominent Munya bint Maymun (d. 595/1199) and Aisha al-Idrisiyya (d. 986/1578), and no effort is made to assess women's place in Morocco's religious system of power and authority. This is all the more surprising, since al-Jazuli, Cornell's central figure, after all, is reputed to have been inspired (if not initiated) by a female saint.

Tamara Albertini is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.