The power of oratory in the medieval Muslim world

"A remarkable book analyzing the importance of oratory for transmitting religious knowledge, legitimizing rulers, and inculcating moral values in the medieval Islamic world"--

""And my brother Aaron - He is more eloquent in speech than I: so send 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 have been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy) ...'" The sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam portray eloquent speech as one of the attributes or instruments of the charismatic authority of the prophets. Though Moses was one of God's elect, a "friend of God" (Q 4: 125; Ex. 33:11), the Qur'an and the Bible coincide in reflecting his fears that his mission before Pharaoh would fail if not buttressed by the oratorical eloquence of his brother Aaron. Similarly, the ?adith show Mu?ammad acknowledging the power of eloquent speech and associating this charismatic gift with the victory of his own prophetic mission"--