Sunni ulama claim that the caliph all title did change its meaning in the twelve years between 632 and 644. The apparent reasoning being that earlier caliphs were looking to legitimise their rule by masking the importance of Muhammad. This trend was changed in the 70's when later Caliph's decided to use Muhammad's memory to get basically the same results.
Another reason for marginalising Muhammad's legacy by the Umayyads was because it affected their dynastic legacy as they claimed to decedents from Uthman and saw Ali as the pretender.
Fascinating little study of the importance of Caliphs within Islam which is taken up by the fringe Islamist movements like the Taliban, therefore very relevant today.
The importance of leadership in the heyday of Islam is clearly visible in this study. It's also plain to see why the institution of the Caliph lost its charm, mainly after the crushing defeat at the hands of Mongol hoards. Unfortunately the Islamic world has never been able to come back after the harrowing defeat at the hands of the pagan Mongols.
So was sunnah really only based on the life of Prophet or did it also contain a healthy dose of influence from various caliphs as well? The book argues for the later which again makes a lot of sense. For if Islam really blossomed during the time of Caliphs than their almost complete control on religious law seems mandatory. Why would an almighty caliph compromise with a lowly ranking Alim?
Another reason for marginalising Muhammad's legacy by the Umayyads was because it affected their dynastic legacy as they claimed to decedents from Uthman and saw Ali as the pretender.
Fascinating little study of the importance of Caliphs within Islam which is taken up by the fringe Islamist movements like the Taliban, therefore very relevant today.
The importance of leadership in the heyday of Islam is clearly visible in this study. It's also plain to see why the institution of the Caliph lost its charm, mainly after the crushing defeat at the hands of Mongol hoards. Unfortunately the Islamic world has never been able to come back after the harrowing defeat at the hands of the pagan Mongols.
So was sunnah really only based on the life of Prophet or did it also contain a healthy dose of influence from various caliphs as well? The book argues for the later which again makes a lot of sense. For if Islam really blossomed during the time of Caliphs than their almost complete control on religious law seems mandatory. Why would an almighty caliph compromise with a lowly ranking Alim?
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