Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-284) and index.

Machine generated contents note: Introduction; 1. Laying the foundat ions; 2. The khutba: the 'central jewel' of medieval Arab-Islamic prose ; 3. The khutba: rhetorical and discursive strategies of persuasion; 4. Putting it all together: the khutba, texts, and contexts; Part I. Cano nical Questions: 5. Putting it all together: the khutba, texts, and con texts; Part II. Thematic and Occasional Orations: 6. Homiletic exhortat ion and storytelling: challenging the 'popular'; 7. 'The good eloquent speaker': profiles of pre-modern Muslim preachers; 8. The audience resp onds: participation, reception, contestation; Conclusion.

"A remarkable book analyzing the importance of oratory for transmitt ing religious knowledge, legitimizing rulers, and inculcating moral val ues in the medieval Islamic world"-- Provided by publisher.

""And my brother Aaron - He is more eloquent in speech than I: so se nd him with me as a helper, to confirm (and strengthen) me: for I fear that they may accuse me of falsehood." (Q 28:34)"The Prophet said, 'I h ave been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with awe ( cast into the hearts of the enemy) ...'" The sacred texts of Judaism, C hristianity, and Islam portray eloquent speech as one of the attributes or instruments of the charismatic authority of the prophets. Though Mo ses was one of God's elect, a "friend of God" (Q 4: 125; Ex. 33:11), th e Qur'an and the Bible coincide in reflecting his fears that his missio n before Pharaoh would fail if not buttressed by the oratorical eloquen ce of his brother Aaron. Similarly, the ?adith show Mu?ammad acknowledg ing the power of eloquent speech and associating this charismatic gift with the victory of his own prophetic mission"-- Provided by publish er.