Classical Texts Series
An important aspect of Ummetik is the theorization of politics and the political sphere in accordance with Islamic normative theory, as well as incorporating observations from modern political theory and political science. This series aims to compile and bring together the classical views and interpretations of Islamic scholars on the subject, with a special focus on Islamic political theory. Given the breadth of the classical tradition, the four schools of thought are considered a starting point for examining different aspects of this tradition. The articles linked below consist of selected, translated and annotated passages by experts in the field. We aim to expand this list over time by making regular additions. The annotations are left for interpretive purposes only, so that the texts can be understood in their context as much as possible.
Although the selected passages include side issues on which there are disagreements and which occasionally require critical evaluation (such criticisms are left to other articles outside the scope of the series), they mainly focus on the following fundamental issues: the importance of politics and governance in Islam and at what level they are prioritized; how this governance should be shaped and limited in line with the principles, rules and purposes of the sharia; the nature of the imamate or caliphate as a social obligation; and the religious imperative of political unity and power.
This series aims, first of all, to draw the attention of scholars to these references by highlighting the ijma that emphasizes the obligations of the ummah in the classical tradition. It also aims to examine in more depth the lessons that these texts' details and presuppositions offer for our time.
Views of Shafi'i Jurists and Lawyers on Imamate
Sheikh Yusuf Wahb
This short piece presents five translated excerpts from authoritative Shafi'i works in the fields of positive law (fiqh) and legal theory (usul al-fiqh). These excerpts represent the school's broad perspective on the imamate or caliphate1 and the social obligation to maintain leadership, which plays a vital role in preserving political and social stability, access to justice for all, and the higher goals of the religion.
Authorities of the Hanbali School on the Imamate
Mesut Vahedi
This article presents a series of legal and theologically oriented passages on the imamate from early, middle and late Hanbali authorities.1 These excerpts show that since the beginning of the Hanbali school of thought, the imamate or caliphate2 has been seen as a necessity to ensure unity, maintain the social order of the political order, enforce the morality and norms of Sharia, protect the common interests of the general Muslim population and ensure the implementation of public religious decrees.
Latest Hanafi Authorities on Imamate
Asim Eyup
This article presents four annotated translations of excerpts from “late” (post-7th century AH) classical Hanafi works on Sharia governance.1 An earlier section was devoted to the school’s earlier authorities. Collectively, these excerpts represent the Hanafi position that the imamate or caliphate is a highly important social obligation. They state the rationale for this—including an assessment of opposing heterodox views—and articulate the roles, benefits, and importance of the imamate.
Maliki Authorities on the Imamate
Dr. Shadee Elmasry
The Imamate or caliphate is a precondition for the fulfillment of many direct and explicit commands found in the Quran and Sunnah. The following quotes represent the Mālikī school on the nature, necessity and rationale behind Imamate, the preconditions for the Imam, the obligation to obey the Imam and the situations that necessitate disobedience to him. The authors of these quotes, listed chronologically, are among the most authoritative sources of the school: Ibn Yunus, Ibn Rushd al-Jadd, Khalil, Ibn Najī and an-Nafrawī.