The perfect ʿālim according to ʿAbd al-Rahmān al-Jabartī's historical works

? Abd al-Ra? man al-Jabarti’s (1753–1825) ? Aja? ib al-athar is the swan song of Arabic traditional historiography, composed by an author aware of the crucial role of European imperialism and its impact upon Islamic civilization. In composing this historical masterpiece, al-Jabarti was able to combine the Islamic religious and secular sciences of his day, and to do so as a critical author sensitive to the Islamic value system of justice and welfare. The study of Professor Shmuel Moreh from the Hebrew University reveals for the first time the traits of an ideal Muslim ? alim as an advisor to the Mamluk rulers. Al-Jabarti’s main recommendation is to adhere to the Quranic principle “to enjoin good and forbid evil”. Thus he could criticize the tyranny of Mu? ammad ? Ali and the corruption of his contemporary religious scholars. The second principle is: “Power leads to corruption and oppression.” Therefore, the ? ulama? should abstain from acquiring political power and from asking Mamluk emirs for favors. They should behave according to Qur? anic regulations. Al-Jabarti believes that God rules the Universe through reward and punishment, and that Mu? ammad ? Ali’s restrictions on the influence of the ? ulama? is a punishment from God for not following Islamic Law. By massacring the Mamluks (1811), the new ruler was able to implement his vision of a modern Egyptian state.