Islamic world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Islamic world - Essay Example when centered round the life of the Prophet Muhammad, or other significant events in Islamic history, touch upon leadership, and emphasize that authority comes from Allah and belongs to those of noble lineage: â€Å"of princely stock† (al-Mulk, as cited by Darke, 1960), or belonging to the house of the Prophet Muhammad: his â€Å"blood relations† (al-Tabari, 923. Battle of Karbala). The right of succession is also clearly delineated, to avoid dissension in the community. In general, the conceptions of leadership are mainly concerned with the importance of keeping the Muslim community together, the obligation of the community to obey the leader, and the qualities and duties of a good leader. The primary requirement of Islamic leadership is the unity of the community. The objective of a leader is to ensure that the Islamic kingdom â€Å"will endure and increase day by day† (Darke, 1960). This is relevant in the early days of Islam, when the threat of schisms and factions rising and leading to the â€Å"split up into factions† (Ishaq, 632) of the newly-found community was very real. God’s command to his caliphs is to confirm Islam, â€Å"consolidate its sway ---- and strengthen its ties† (al-Tabari, 923. Letter of the Umayyad Caliph). The unity of the believers is essential for the survival of the new religion, and the leader is urged to foster communal bonds and guard against any dissension. It is clearly stated that â€Å"a community can be saved only if it has a head who can unite it† (al-Tabari, 923. Letter of Uthman), and warnings against discord and schisms are repeatedly given. Islam ensures the obligation of the community to obey the leader by explicitly stating that the authority of the leader comes directly from God, and commands, â€Å"No one contests the rights of the Caliph† (al-Tabari, 923. Letter of the Umayyad Caliph). Obedience to the caliphate is equated with obedience to God’s will and is held out to be the path to happiness, well-being and God’s