The image of the Jews in the book One Thousand and One Nights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.Vol1.Iss52.3359Keywords:
: Imagology; image of the others; image of the Jews; One Thousand and One Nights; Abbasid literatureAbstract
This study endeavors to unveil the portrayal of Jews in “One Thousand and One Nights,” seeking to understand the components of their image and the Muslim perspective towards them. It also explores how this portrayal evolves across different historical eras as sections of the book come to light. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the researchers focus on key stories featuring Jewish characters. Results indicate that the information in the book about Jews aligns with various historical sources. There is no mention of Jews living in rural areas or engaging in agriculture. Professions depict them as doctors, merchants, and government officials in the financial sector, with a notable shift away from medicine during the early Islamic eras. Information about the social conditions of Jews, such as their clothing (often depicted in yellow) and carriages (without horses), is provided. The practice of magic by Jews is only mentioned in the later parts of the book, largely absent in the earlier sections.
The book’s portrayal of the relationship between Jews and Muslims suggests a project of demonizing Muslims, presenting them as individuals aspiring to harm Jews, while Jews seek respect for their privacy. Jews are portrayed as treating Muslims well, yet no instances are found of reciprocal kindness from Muslims to Jews. Regarding commonalities between depicted Jews in the Quran and this book, both emphasize a love for wealth and the fear they experience when confronted with an awkward situation. Notably, there is a more pronounced agreement between these sources.
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