A medieval coptic convert's analysis of Islam: the kitab al-wadih bi-L-haqq of Bulus Ibn Raʇa

According to the history of the patriarchs of alexandria,one of the most important spokesmen for coptic christianity in the late tenth century was bluus ibn raʇa'. born as a muslim,he studied the qur'an,law,and hadit. after converting to christianity,ibn raʇa' became a monk at scetis. his biography details his public confession and apostasy,his difficulties with his family,his service to the coptic church,and his apologetic writings about islam. bulus ibn raʇas book clarity in truth (kitab al-wadih bi-i-haqq) has been partially preserved in ms aleppo,george and mathilde salem foundation - ar. 202 (=sbath 1004). this article will describe the contents of the manuscript. the paper will focus on questions of authorship,dating,apologetics,and christian-muslim encounters in late tenth-century egypt.