The most controversial book on Islamic history ever written
DISCLAIMER
Before i start my review i must add that, as a Muslim, i find it difficult to write a review on a history book of Islam that triggered a barrage of responses when it came out, i can only wonder what it must have been like for Moulana Maududi, who penned down such controversial but mostly true facts. However controversial, Moulana Moududi made it his priority to support every statement with a source of reference. This post might be a little lengthy due to the complexity of the topic but i have discussed here, only the bones of contention
ABSTRACT
From the golden system of governance, left by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to the kingship that formed afterwards, ‘caliphate and kingship’ is a controversial book that explains in great details, the conversion from former to latter
THE ‘WORLDLY’ REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF CALIPHATE SYSTEM:
It is important to note here that a Muslim’s belief is that this world is temporary. Therefore, everything in it follows the same concept. If i could write this down a bit more scientifically, i would say everything follows the law of entropy. Everything degrades and comes to an end. The reason for starting with law of entropy is because i am about to discuss the demise of the caliphate system under the light of worldly reasons. Anything that is worldly, tends to follow the law of entropy. However, discussing these worldly reasons does not and should not mean that one thinks any less of the great personalities involved in the events being discussed. As said before, this world is temporary, therefore this simulation has to run towards a particular end, and therefore mistakes have to be committed, no matter the greatness of the personality committing it. Like Maududi, i will discuss here, historic facts and leave the intentions of the persons involved up to God. I think this post will also give a unique perspective to neutral readers as well
HAZRAT USMAN (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM)
Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) was the third caliph. There is no conflict with regard to his legitimacy as a caliph and how he got elected. The first six years were as perfect as they could have been. However, the last six years were troublesome in terms of opposition that accused him of nepotism. On this issue, Maududi has taken a cautious stance. On one hand Maududi says it was not legally wrong for Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) to appoint his family members in positions of power (since people of ummayad clan were good at warfare), but also says that politically, it was not the right move. These decisions coupled with Marwan’s (his son in law and his right hand at the time) manipulations, affected his popularity negatively and eventually led to his assassination.
HAZRAT ALI (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM)
After Hazrat Usman’s (may Allah be pleased with him) assassination, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) became the fourth caliph. Like his predecessor, Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) right to the post of caliph had no disputes. He was the most worthy one for the position.
After coming into power, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) changed all the governors and selected people based on merit. Though a right decision, this did not do well politically with the people of ummayad. But a bigger predicament that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) had to face was to bring the killers of Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) to justice. Since an entire mob had surrounded Hazrat Usman’s (may Allah be pleased with him) house before he was assassinated, no one knew who actually killed him. On this, Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) stance was clear; wait and see until things become clear. However, this did not go well with some of the senior companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). What happened afterwards was regretted by everyone that stood against Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). But this was only the first of three civil wars that happened during Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) tenure as a caliph.
The second civil war, although thought to be fought on Hazrat Usman’s (may Allah be pleased with him) assassination, was actually a consequence of some of the managerial mishandling that happened back in Hazrat Usman’s (may Allah be pleased with him) rein. Having said that, no one should have the right to revolt against government using its own resources. Hazrat Muawiya (may Allah be pleased with him) was in the wrong, both legally and politically. The author has refrained from saying anything about the intentions of Hazrat Muawiya (may Allah be pleased with him), and so will i. After a ‘draw’ was accepted by both sides, this conclusion caused a third civil war against the people who came to be known as ‘renegades’ (khawarij). Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) fought the third war against these people to settle the dust.
Here, i must express the pain i feel for Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was the man who accepted Islam when he was just 8 years old. Saw all the hardships along side Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the early days of Islam. Experienced all the good days when Islam was dominant. And now in the aftermath of Hazrat Usman’s (may Allah be pleased with him) assassination, had to witness the demise of the values that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had taught. Two years after the third civil war, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was assassinated by a renegade. His son Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) was selected by the people to become the next caliph.
THE SHIFT FROM CALIPHATE TO KINGSHIP:
After coming into power, Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) signed a treaty and Hazrat Muawiya (may Allah be pleased with him) became the caliph given certain conditions would be met. One of which was that he would not assign one of his relatives as a successor. Hazrat Hasan’s (may Allah be pleased with him) motive was clear; unite Muslims and end wars. After Hazrat Hasan’s (may Allah be pleased with him) death, the treaty was broken when Hazrat Muawiya (may Allah be pleased with him) chose his son yazid to become the successor. And thus all the chaos that had lead up to this moment culminated in the demise of the caliphate system. Looking back, the events that lead up to it were not difficult to understand but were random in nature. And that is just how it is in this uncertain world. Every thing has to come to an end. It is up to the creator that runs the simulation.
THE CONCLUSION:
History is generally a disputed subjected for the most part and the same can be said for Islamic history. The events discussed by Maududi in this book are no doubt controversial but written with as many references as possible. Having said that, there are just as many people who wrote their own books (also with references) in response to this book. Incorrect facts or not, Maududi definitely did a good job at exposing real world scenarios that caused the demise of the caliphate system. As history students, i think we should read as many books as possible to get a wholesome and neutral picture.
I would rate this book 5/5 stars . Its a must read!!
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