The Art of Autographs in the Ubaidyyah State: The Autographs of Almu’izzi li Deenillah as a Model

Abstract

This research seeks to study the art of autographs in the Ubaidiyyah state with reference to the autographs of Almu’izzi li Deenillah as a model. Autographs vary in topics inclusive of which are the political autographs related to governance and the state system and its policy in dealing with the people. Others are the autographs on financial policy, grants and donations. It does appear in the autographs of Almu’izzi li Deenillah the effect of Ismaili doctrine in some contents and the use of religious doctrinal terminologies. Contrary to the autographs of his antecedents, the autographs of Almu’izzi li Deenillah also appear to be lengthy in most cases as opposed to the common style of constructing autographs. Moreover, his autographs tend to be informative and directive in nature with the absence of artistry and rhetoric.