Page 207 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol III

1026 berkshire encyclopedia of world history

controlling the caliphal state, and the political experi- world. Umayyad princes continued to rule in the Iberian
ences of the community shaped the belief systems that Peninsula, and gradually independent Islamic states were
developed. Civil war brought an end to the era of the established across North Africa. By the end of the tenth
Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and the new political commu- century CE three caliphs claimed authority in parts of the
nity was ruled by the Umayyad dynasty (661–750 CE) Islamic world—an Umayyad ruler in Spain, a Shiite
and then by the Abbasid dynasty (750–1258 CE). ruler in Egypt, and the Abbasid caliph in Baghdad. Local
Early Abbasid caliphs built a new capital at Baghdad, military rulers, who came to take the title of “sultan,”
not far from the location of ancient imperial capitals. increasingly dominated political affairs. The Mongol
Although the Abbasid state was strong, it never estab- conquest of Baghdad in 1258 CE brought an end to the
lished control over all of the territories of the Islamic Abbasid caliphate.Although the concept of the caliphate
as a symbol of Islamic unity continued, basic Islamic po-
litical organization took the form of sultanates, repre-
senting rule by military commanders. This transforma-
tion was possible because of the evolution of the nature
of the Islamic community itself.

The Faith-Based
Community
During the early centuries of Islamic history the caliphate
was the most visible aspect of the new Islamic commu-
nity. However, the development of the Islamic belief sys-
tem provided the basis for a faith-based community that
involved more than an allegiance to a particular ruler or
political system.The definition of a legal and normative
framework that shaped politics but that was independent
of the state helped to create a sense of community iden-
tity. The development of popular devotional organiza-
tions associated with the growing importance of Sufi
(Islamic mystic) brotherhoods strengthened this identity.
The Islamic belief system initially developed within
the framework of the caliphate but was not tied to the
specifics of the political system. Scholars, not political
leaders, undertook the important functions of interpret-
ing the Quran and organizing the traditions (hadith) of
Muhammad as basic sources for law and guidance.
These scholars, literally the “learned people” (ulama),
never became an ordained clergy and maintained inde-
pendence from rulers. However, the political and legal
The Kalima in Arabic and Chinese in a dimensions of the Islamic faith were an important part of
leaflet used by Muslims in China in the the belief system. These dimensions were the primary
nineteenth century. area of disagreement among Sunnis and Shiites.The Sun-