12 Islam and State: religion and the state in pre-modern Islam Flashcards
In 2014 isis declared a Caliphate - which is…
An islamic state modelled on original islamic society - society of Muhammad in Medinah
A caliph is …
The chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor of Muhammad - there was no hereditary succession
The first 4 political leaders after Muhammad were called ______________ / their names were…..
The 4 rightly guided caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali
The Era of the 4 rightly guarded caliphs is seen as the Golden Age by Isis who want to recreate it (Yet it wasn’t entirely ideal 3 of the 4 caliphs were assassinated!)-
scholarly support…
Michael cook - ‘the restoration of the caliphate is a political ideal for many islamists - and for some a political project’ (not necessarily for all Muslims)
Islamism
Idea that Islam can form basis of government (not the same as the religion of Islam)
The religion of Islam is supposed to transcend ethnic identity - Qur’an quote about brothers…
‘The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers ‘
All Muslims are equal: ‘________Final Day_______grief’
“Any who believe in God and the Final Day, and do good, all shall have their reward with their Lord and they will not come to fear or grief.”
Muhammad final speech ‘Arab’
‘An Arab is not better than a non-Arab… except in piety.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘Women are__________’
“Women are the twin halves of men.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘The best_________’
“The best of you are those who are best to their wives.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘women have_______’
“Women have the same rights as men in Islam.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘whoever has a daughter_____________’
“Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘the search________’
“the search for knowledge is the duty for every Muslim male or female.”
Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘you must treat______________’
“You must treat women well and be kind to them as they are your partners and helpers” - From his final sermon
Being part of Islam was being part of a political community because Muhammad was also a ________ leader.
political
Yet after the death of the fourth rightly guided caliphate Ali- the empire declined as a single political unit - (3 countries) - the experience of being a Muslim is effected by ethnicity.
Turkey/Egypt/Pakistan
Not quite true that the egalitarian mindset involved women - scholarly support
‘Islamic egalitarianism was limited to free Muslim males.’ Hank Green
who chose the next caliph!!?
caliph would consult with others to agree with him, the community consensus (ijma) played an important role as hadith states that ‘my community will never agree upon an error’
Islamism emphasises rule of ______ which is opposed to _____-
shar’ia / democracy x
Muhammad negotiated treaties between the feuding tribes in Medinah- the ______ and the _______. Through the ___________, he brought together
Banu Aus and the Banu Khazraj
Constitution of Medinah
The Jewish tribes, pagan tribes, Muslims immigrants (mujatreens) and local converts (the Ansar) as one community.
Shura? significance ?
Muhammad did consult with his people as to the tactics they would employ against the enemy e.g. the Battle of Badr against the Quraysh, Muhammad first consulted with the Medinah people as to whether they should advance or protect their homes.
However, for Muhammad, God’s revelations would always come first. (this is practice of a model state)
muezzin? significance?
He appointed a black slave, Bilal, as his first muezzin (the man who gives the call to prayer) to show that he did not favour any race.
Muhammad set up _____
Qur’anic quote support
Zakat tax.
‘All you spend of good is for your parents, close relatives, orphans and the needy’ Qur’an
He forbade
riba (charging of interest)
Muhammad was known for his honesty - he was accommodating to different tribes politically and this helped the economy grow, he was particularly successful in growing dates… Hadith?
“Medina is a sanctuary. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be made up nor any sin committed” Muhammad Hadith.
Sira
Prophetic biography
The Constitution of Medina
The Constitution of Medina, also known as the Charter of Medina, was a document created by the Prophet Muhammad.
Established a set of rules for governance
Specified the rights and responsibilities of the people of the book (ahl-al-kitab) and other religions
It also established a system for resolving disputes and provided for the defence of the city.
One of the earliest constitutions, inspired Muslims ever since
Throughout time, muslims have looked to Muhammad’s society and create their own Islamic country ruled by a Caliph.
This movement is called the
Khalifah.
The Dhimma contract
instated after Muhammad’s death - dhimmis (non muslims) were forbidden to
1. Build a house higher than a Muslims.
2. Ride a horse.
3. Hold a position of authority over the affairs of Muslims.
4. However they were allowed to worship but it must be low profile and they were not allowed religious symbolism. Muslims had to do the opposite and not place their religion in a place of inferiority.
What does Baran think of the Khalifa movement
Baran, a Turkish Muslim has viewed the khalifa concept as very different to the constitution of Medinah.
Scholarly view of the relationship between Muslims under Muhammad’s rule and jews
Dr Morrow “Muslims were bound to protect the Jews from their enemies. Likewise, Jews were bound to protect Muslims.’
Akbar Ganji- An Iranian protestor who changed his mind from a supporter of religious government to support of a secular government.
‘There was no such thing as a state in the time of Muhammad.’ ‘Muhammad did not mix laws to do with religion with laws regarding the running of the country.’
T
herefore, there is no ideal state to follow, caliphs were elected by the people and medinah was governed by different tribes working together.
Mmd was not very tolerant as a ruler actually - Hadith ‘A believer…’
“A believer is not to be killed for the killing of an unbeliever.”
Mmd was not very tolerant as a ruler actually - Hadith about the jews
Muhammad said “Everyone who is born is born with a sound nature, it is his parents who make him a Jew…..”
Muhammad defending the jews and christians Hadith
“He who wrongs a Jew or a Christian will have myself [the Prophet] as his indicter on the Day of Judgment.”
