Book Review: Reviewing the Book Taj by Jahez

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Razi University, Kermanshah

2 PhD Candidate in Arabic Language and Literature, Razi University, Kermanshah

Abstract

Jahez is one of the Arab writers who in his works paid special attention to Iranians, Iranian customs, and the Sassanid kings in such a way that it can be easily understood that Iranian culture is respectable and sometimes superior to Arabic culture in his opinion. Jahez clearly admits that the Arabs learned the religion and politics from the Iranians. To him the extent and standard of the correctness is determined by the kings, which is why he says at the beginning of many of his arguments, “It is the morality of the kings that...” or “it is not permissible for the kings that...” or “It is right of the kings that...” In this article, his views regarding Iranians and Sassanid kings including their customs, codes of clothing, table manners, and parties are discussed. At the beginning of each chapter of his book Jahez first gives a general explanation about the topic that is going to be discusses and then mentions the views of Iranians and Sassanid kings on that subject and then goes to the Arab caliphs who in fact imitate the rituals and customs of the Sassanid kings. This style of writing clearly shows the influence of Iranian culture on Arabic culture, especially in matters belonging to Iranian tradition, such as the celebration of Mehregan and Nowruz, the ritual of veiling, and court ceremonies, which have no history in the Islamic Caliphate. And many of the unknown customs of the Sassanid government can be recognized from the common rituals and customs in the Abbasid caliphate, and thus Taj fills in the gaps of the Pahlavi texts that have disappeared.

Keywords

References

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Arabic Literature
Volume 12, Issue 4
Winter 2021
Pages 167-184

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