Proximity to the Prophet Muhammad in Fifteenth-Century Samarkand

Fifteenth-century Samarkand saw the emergence of a nuanced understanding of 'sayyid' and 'sharif' status, where genealogical claims of descent from or proximity to the Prophet Muhammad were strategically used to legitimize sacred figures. This study compares two texts—an anonymous shrine visitation guide (Qandiyya-yi Khurd) and a scholarly work (Muhammad Parsa's Fasl al-Khitab)—to reveal how such claims expanded beyond traditional Sufi lineages, reflecting broader religious and political dynamics of the late medieval period. The research demonstrates that popular and scholarly narratives converged to validate the sacred status of two early Islamic-era saints, Qutham ibn ‘Abbas and ‘Abdi Darun, offering new insights into the cultural and political landscape of Samarkand during this era.

Salikuddin, R. (2026). Proximity to the Prophet Muhammad in Fifteenth-Century Samarkand. Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, 46(1), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1215/1089201x-12354713