Page "Kitab al-I'tibar" Paragraph 2

However, Robert Irwin cautions that the memoirs of Usāmah are not as simple as they look and often include slander, rhetoric, misdirection and evasion.

The book was not written to provide an historical account but to teach by example using anecdotes taken from the experiences of Usāmah.

For example, a common theme is that a man cannot affect how long he lives no matter what dangers he puts himself in, as the duration of life is pre-determined.

Another theme is that victory in warfare depends on Allah rather than organisation or planning.

Carole Hillenbrand also believes it is dangerous to take the book at face value, as it belongs to a popular genre of medieval Arabic literature, known as adab, which was meant to instruct its readers while entertaining them-and telling a truthful account was not the book's main purpose.

However, if interpreted with caution the autobiography of Usāmah is a rich source on 12th century culture.