Memorial Stone. Muslims in the face of death

The Middle Ages: Al- Andalus (8th-15th century)Salto de línea

Cylindrical stones like this one marked the location of graves in Hispano-Islamic cemeteries on the city outskirts, where relatives and friends would go to pay their respects. This is an example of how the tombs of persons of high socioeconomic status were identified, although Islam preaches the equality of all Muslims in the face of death and a significant number of graves had no markers. However, what makes this memorial stone special is the fact that it has two inscriptions, which tell us that it initially belonged to a Muslim and was later reused by a Jew. The principal inscription on the front is written in Kufic characters against a recessed background, as was typical in Toledo, and provides information about the dead man to whom it was dedicated. The deceased was an important person, the vizier Abu Omar, son of Musa. The year of his death (1071) is inscribed alongside two suras from the Qur’an. Meanwhile, the Hebrew inscription on the back mentions Meir, son of Yahuda.