[Arbeitstitel] The Production and Verification of Genealogical Knowledge: A Case Study on ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī (d. 561/1166), His Lineage, and His Descendants

This dissertation project examines the production of genealogical knowledge in Islamic societies between the 13th and 18th centuries using a longue durée approach and a transregional and diachronic comparison. It takes as its case study the production of knowledge about the contested prophetic descent of the Iraqi scholar, preacher, and Sufi saint ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī (d. 561/1166) and his descendants in Syria, al-Andalus, and the Western Maghrib. The aim of the project is to show how early modern authors dealt with prophetic descent and the problems of truth, certainty, and verifiability of genealogical knowledge, as well as their limits. Specifically, the project examines who was involved in the production of genealogical knowledge about ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī and his descendants, on what sources and evidence this knowledge was based, how these sources and evidence were evaluated, prioritized, and hierarchized, and how this knowledge was documented, presented, and disseminated. Finally, it examines by whom and with what methods attempts were made to verify and control this knowledge. To address these questions, the study draws on a broad corpus of sources covering the period from shortly after al-Jīlānī’s death in the 12th century to the 18th century. This corpus includes historiographical works, biographical anthologies, hagiographical literature, genealogical compilations, local family histories, genealogical treatises, and poetry. This diverse selection allows for a nuanced understanding of the many actors involved in the production and dissemination of genealogical knowledge, as well as their practices and methods. The project contributes to a deeper understanding of genealogy as a discipline in premodern and early modern Muslim societies. By examining the case of ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī and his descendants, this dissertation study reveals how different groups interact in the production of genealogical knowledge. It demonstrates that genealogical methods became increasingly refined over the centuries, as genealogists not only reflected on their own practices but also adopted techniques from related disciplines. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the substantive and methodological links between genealogy and other fields, such as history, Ḥadīth criticism, and Islamic law, showing how developments in these areas have shaped genealogical practices.