Inḥiṭāṭ - the decline paradigm: its influence and persistence in the writing of Arab cultural history

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Numerous studies indicate that the European colonial paradigm of writing Arab history, which posits a golden age followed by stagnation or decline post-Abbasid, has been internalized by the emerging intelligentsia of the naḥda, becoming central to Arab historiography and public discourse. This theme of decline persists in contemporary literature, reflecting varied motives and arguments. Contributions explore this paradigm's influence across various domains: Syrinx von Hees discusses the decline paradigm's impact on Arab cultural history; Manfred Sing examines language games surrounding decadence in the 19th and 20th centuries; Ines Weinrich analyzes the decline paradigm in Arab music history; Marek M. Dziekan contrasts traditional views with new interpretations of Inḥiṭāṭ as a historical period in Arab culture; Geert Jan van Gelder reflects on opinions regarding "the Corruption of Time"; Tarif Khalidi considers progress and decline in Ibn Khaldūn's work; Sonja Brentjes investigates the audience for four sciences in Ayyubid and Mamluk societies; Syrinx von Hees also addresses the meaning and function of ʿAjāʾib in Mamluk historiography; and Dana Sajdi highlights new voices in 18th-century Ottoman Levant history.