The Free Copts - Epilogue-Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442): A witness & chronicler from the late medieval ages-Part VII

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Epilogue-Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442): A witness & chronicler from the late medieval ages-Part VII

Written by Ed Rizkalla

Wednesday, 09 July 2008

Ed Rizkalla

In this series, the writer reviewed some of the chronicles of the Arab historian al-Maqrizi (1) on Coptic cultural attributes, and explored some aspects of the context and milieu of his time. Al-Maqrizi was neither a Coptophile nor a friend of the Copts, and perhaps this might add more credence for his writing about the Coptic culture. His writings, like several other medieval Arab writers, tended to include unsubstantiated and racist negative commentaries about the Copts. Al-Maqrizi was however reflecting the milieu, knowledge, and the deficiency thereof of his time. For his credit, Al-Maqrizi recorded with candor many of the atrocities committed by several Arab and Turkish rulers against Egypt, the Copts and Coptic heritage. Al-Maqrizi, even attempted to no avail, to gently remind the rulers of his time- as many of them found it politically expedient to show a façade of Islamic piety, while stirring the embers of fanaticism against the Copts to destabilize their political opponents- with tens of verses quoted from the Muslim holy books, which admonish fair and amicable relationship with the Copts. The Coptic culture has its genesis in the ancient Egyptian history and mythology. Its attributes include 1) The respect for education, knowledge, and love of wisdom, 2) The respect for the individual and his or her individuality and creative abilities, 3) The respect for the family as an institution established and blessed by God bonding a man and a woman, which forms the corner stone of a civilized society, 4) The respect for women and their role in the family and society at large, 5) Equality of men and women, 6) The respect for initiative and a "Can-do" way of life, 7) Flexibility, adaptability and innovation, 8) Joy of life, and other attributes. In some of the previous articles of this series, the writer cited examples from ancient Egyptian literature to help shed some light on some of the Coptic cultural attributes. The Coptic culture has been greatly influenced by the advent of Christianity in Egypt, and in some instances the new Christian teachings emphasized old Coptic cultural traits or traditions, whereas they modified and changed others. In this article, the writer will attempt with the grace of the Lord to explore some of the modifications and/or changes brought about by Christian teachings. The Bible attests for the Copts respect for education, knowledge, and love of wisdom as “Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” Acts7. 22. Al-Maqrizi centuries later witnessed that the Copts were in fact (علم اهل) people of knowledge. Al-Maqrizi also observed the tendency among Coptic men to defer decisions to allow them the opportunity to discuss with their wives. The latter observation reflects cultural attributes 3, 4, and 5. However as these cultural attributes were foreign for Al-Maqrizi, he could not comprehend them. He quoted prior Arabic writers’ tales e.g. ibn abed al-Hakem and Yazid ibn abi Habib, who engaged in suppositions including plenty of historical errors, drawing on the story of the Israelites Exodus from Egypt. One of the most important Coptic cultural attributes is the respect for the family as an institution established and blessed by God. The enemy of all goodness, Satan, keeps planting discord and creating problems to the family. Our times seem to be witnessing more and more of Satan’s handiwork in attacking the family, leaving a trail of shattered hopes, unhappiness and losses for husbands, wives, and their children. The emphasis on the family as the corner stone of a civilized society, respect for the women’s role in the family and society at large, and the equality of men and women were among the ancient Egyptians cultural attributes. However, divorce and remarriage were common in Egypt at all periods (2). Either party could divorce a spouse on any grounds or, basically, without grounds, without any interest or record on the part of the state. Christian teachings forbade divorce following the commandment given by Christ the Lord “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mt 19. 6. The Christian teachings forbidding divorce are premised on “love”, “forbearing with one another”, “forgiving one another”, and “trust and hope in Christ the Lord who strengthens us in our weaknesses”. Thus Christian teachings changed the ancient Egyptian social and cultural traditions permitting divorce, and replaced them with stronger family bonds to protect both the married couple and their offspring. Saint Paul further admonished “husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself”, Eph 5. 28. Saint Paul also admonished women “wives be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord”, Eph 5.23, and all believers “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph 5.21. Christ the Lord commanded “This is my command that you love one another as I have loved you”, John 15.12. Thus the emphasis on the family has been further strengthened, invigorated, and emphasized even more, as Saint Paul writes” For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Eph 5. 31. The One True Triune God of creation gives different gifts and talents to different people. In his grace, the Lord granted the Copts many precious gifts, including a forward-looking culture. Throughout the ages the Copts have been and continue to be a people of knowledge and wisdom, courage and valor, resilience and benevolence. Over the centuries Coptic culture has helped the Copts survive. In our day and age, the Coptic culture continues to enhance the Copts renewal, reinvigoration, and growth. The peace of the Lord be with you all. (Iryny paci) Irene Passe. 1) Book of Al-khitat by Al-Maqrizi, printed by Ihiaa’ al-‘eloum bookstore, Southern Coast, al-shiah, Lebanon, 1959. 2) Women's Legal Rights in Ancient Egypt, by Janet H. Johnson http://fathom.lib.uchicago.edu/1/777777190170 Acknowledgements: The writer would like to extend his appreciation and thanks to the staff of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, for their assistance with the research for background material for this article. Ed Rizkalla is a management consultant and a freelance writer. He is the founder of Pharos on the Potomac Group (POPG). POPG is a non-profit organization at Annandale, VA http://mysite.verizon.net/vzes76jv/pharosonthepotomacgroup. POPG was established to provide cultural services to the local communities of the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

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