The Forum for Research in Medieval Studies (FoRMS)

The Forum for Research in Medieval Studies (FoRMS), first formed as a Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshop (RIW) in Fall 2010, serves as a structure for the Medieval Lunch series and a reading group for graduate students. In its geographical, historical, and disciplinary scope, FoRMS aims to provide an important forum for graduate students and faculty to discuss their work as contributions to the broad field of “medieval studies.” At FoRMS sponsored lunches throughout the semester, graduate students can present their ongoing research and receive feedback from other members of the FoRMS community. FoRMS also sponsors interdisciplinary reading groups and other social events, which are organized on a more ad-hoc basis.

FoRMS Lunch Workshop

March 23, 2026 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Tisch 1014
Glenn Ellis (Middle Eastern Studies)

This presentation will explore the etiquette of marriage as seen in a Safavid Shī’ī compendium of hadith, Ḥilyat al-Mottaqīn or The Adornment of the Pious, written by Moḥammad-Bāqir Majlisī, a significant scholar. Published in 1671 in Persian, Majlisī’s book was intended for an everyday audience and describes quotidian customs in great detail. One of the most striking hadith in the chapter on marriage notes prohibited and exhorted times of day for sexual intercourse, and it further reveals medical ideas of generation and ways to ensure the morality of one’s offspring and thus society as a whole. This chapter is a useful case study on the expectations held of marriage, and indicates the specificity of religious instruction for one who wanted to be an exemplary Muslim. By studying this text, we can gain a richer picture of the expectations, ideals, and boundaries of Safavid marriage as well as ideals of reproduction.

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