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LOL, Shias in full action, This title is of our Omar ibn Khattab (AS)
The Quranic verse has nothing to do with this title?
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== History ==
== History ==
When Abu Bakr died, Muslims of the time said: “We are the Mu'minin (Believers/Faithful) and [[Omar]] ({{reign|634|644}}) is our Amir (Leader).”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Vidani|first=Peter|title="Ameer al-Mu'mineen"|url=https://umaribnalkhattab.tumblr.com/post/36103920199/ameer-al-mumineen|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu)|language=en}}</ref> After this, the title Amir al-Mu'minin was held by Omar ibn Khattab who was also the first one to be given this title.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Life of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab|url=https://iccuk.org/media/khutbas/Life%20of%20%27Umar%20Ibn%20al-Khattab.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This was likely not for its military connotation, but rather deriving from a [[Quran]]ic injunction to "Obey God and obey the Apostle and those invested with command among you" ([[Sura 4]], verses 58–62).{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} According to [[Fred M. Donner]], the title's adoption marked a step in the centralization of the nascent Muslim state, as the {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} was acknowledged as the central authority of the [[early Muslim conquests|expanding Muslim empire]], being responsible for appointing and dismissing generals and governors, taking major political decisions, and keeping the {{transl|ar|[[divan|dīwān]]}}, the list of those Believers entitled to a share of the spoils of conquest.{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=135–136}} From Umar on, the title became a fixed part of caliphal literature;{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} Indeed, it appears to have been the chief title of the early caliphs,{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=98–99}} and the actual title of caliph ({{transl|ar|khalīfa}}, {{lit.|successor}}) does not appear to have been adopted until the reign of the [[Umayyad]] caliph [[Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan]] ({{reign|685|705}}), when he adopted it as a means to strengthen his position, whose legitimacy had been shaky following the [[Second Fitna]].{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=210–211}}
When Abu Bakr died, Muslims of the time said: “We are the Mu'minin (Believers/Faithful) and [[Omar]] ({{reign|634|644}}) is our Amir (Leader).”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Vidani|first=Peter|title="Ameer al-Mu'mineen"|url=https://umaribnalkhattab.tumblr.com/post/36103920199/ameer-al-mumineen|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu)|language=en}}</ref> After this, the title Amir al-Mu'minin was held by Omar ibn Khattab who was also the first one to be given this title.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Life of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab|url=https://iccuk.org/media/khutbas/Life%20of%20%27Umar%20Ibn%20al-Khattab.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[Fred M. Donner]], the title's adoption marked a step in the centralization of the nascent Muslim state, as the {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} was acknowledged as the central authority of the [[early Muslim conquests|expanding Muslim empire]], being responsible for appointing and dismissing generals and governors, taking major political decisions, and keeping the {{transl|ar|[[divan|dīwān]]}}, the list of those Believers entitled to a share of the spoils of conquest.{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=135–136}} From Umar on, the title became a fixed part of caliphal literature;{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} Indeed, it appears to have been the chief title of the early caliphs,{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=98–99}} and the actual title of caliph ({{transl|ar|khalīfa}}, {{lit.|successor}}) does not appear to have been adopted until the reign of the [[Umayyad]] caliph [[Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan]] ({{reign|685|705}}), when he adopted it as a means to strengthen his position, whose legitimacy had been shaky following the [[Second Fitna]].{{sfn|Donner|2012|pp=210–211}}


Among [[Sunnis]], the adoption of the title of {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} became virtually tantamount to claiming the caliphate. As a result, the title was used by the great Islamic dynasties that claimed the universal leadership over the [[Ummah|Muslim community]]: the Umayyads, [[Abbasids]], and [[Fatimids]].{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} In later centuries, it was also adopted by regional rulers, especially in the western parts of the Muslim world, who used the caliphal rank to emphasize their independent authority and legitimacy, rather than any ecumenical claim.{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} The [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Umayyads of Cordoba]] adopted it in 928, whence it was also used by several other minor rulers of [[al-Andalus]]. From 1253, the [[Hafsids]] of [[Ifriqiya]] claimed the caliphate, and were followed by the [[Marinids]] of [[Morocco]], following whom all successive [[History of Morocco|Moroccan dynasties]]—the last two of them, the [[Saadi Sultanate|Saadi dynasty]] and the current [[Alaouite dynasty]], also by virtue of their claimed [[sharif|descent from Muhammad]]{{sfn|Pennell|2016|p=6}}—have also claimed it.{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} The [[Constitution of Morocco]] still uses the term {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} as the principal title of the [[King of Morocco]], as a means to "[legitimise the monarchy's] hegemonic role and its position outside significant constitutional restraint".{{sfn|Pennell|2016|p=7}}
Among [[Sunnis]], the adoption of the title of {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} became virtually tantamount to claiming the caliphate. As a result, the title was used by the great Islamic dynasties that claimed the universal leadership over the [[Ummah|Muslim community]]: the Umayyads, [[Abbasids]], and [[Fatimids]].{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} In later centuries, it was also adopted by regional rulers, especially in the western parts of the Muslim world, who used the caliphal rank to emphasize their independent authority and legitimacy, rather than any ecumenical claim.{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} The [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Umayyads of Cordoba]] adopted it in 928, whence it was also used by several other minor rulers of [[al-Andalus]]. From 1253, the [[Hafsids]] of [[Ifriqiya]] claimed the caliphate, and were followed by the [[Marinids]] of [[Morocco]], following whom all successive [[History of Morocco|Moroccan dynasties]]—the last two of them, the [[Saadi Sultanate|Saadi dynasty]] and the current [[Alaouite dynasty]], also by virtue of their claimed [[sharif|descent from Muhammad]]{{sfn|Pennell|2016|p=6}}—have also claimed it.{{sfn|Gibb|1960|p=445}} The [[Constitution of Morocco]] still uses the term {{transl|ar|amīr al-muʾminīn}} as the principal title of the [[King of Morocco]], as a means to "[legitimise the monarchy's] hegemonic role and its position outside significant constitutional restraint".{{sfn|Pennell|2016|p=7}}

Revision as of 04:13, 24 August 2021

This article is about an Islamic title. For an Indonesian footballer named from this title, see Amirul Mukminin.

Amir al-Mu'minin (Template:Lang-ar) is an Arabic title that is usually translated "Commander of the Faithful". The title is latinized as Miramolinus, hence Italian Miramolino, Sicilian Miramulinu, French Miramolin, Spanish Miramolín and Portuguese Miramolim, and in Byzantine Greek, ἀμερμουμνῆς amermoumnês.

The most prominent holder of the title was Omar, to whom the title was given first.[1]

Etymology

The title derives from the common Arabic term designating a military commander, amīr, and was used for Muslim military commanders already during the lifetime of Muhammad. In this capacity it was, for example, borne by the Muslim commander at the Battle of al-Qadisiyya.[2] Al is the definite article of Arabic meaning "the" and Mu'minin is an Arabic term meaning "believers". Thus Amir al-Mu'minin means Commander of the Believers.

History

When Abu Bakr died, Muslims of the time said: “We are the Mu'minin (Believers/Faithful) and Omar (r. 634–644) is our Amir (Leader).”[1] After this, the title Amir al-Mu'minin was held by Omar ibn Khattab who was also the first one to be given this title.[1][3] According to Fred M. Donner, the title's adoption marked a step in the centralization of the nascent Muslim state, as the amīr al-muʾminīn was acknowledged as the central authority of the expanding Muslim empire, being responsible for appointing and dismissing generals and governors, taking major political decisions, and keeping the dīwān, the list of those Believers entitled to a share of the spoils of conquest.[4] From Umar on, the title became a fixed part of caliphal literature;[2] Indeed, it appears to have been the chief title of the early caliphs,[5] and the actual title of caliph (khalīfa, lit. 'successor') does not appear to have been adopted until the reign of the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (r. 685–705), when he adopted it as a means to strengthen his position, whose legitimacy had been shaky following the Second Fitna.[6]

Among Sunnis, the adoption of the title of amīr al-muʾminīn became virtually tantamount to claiming the caliphate. As a result, the title was used by the great Islamic dynasties that claimed the universal leadership over the Muslim community: the Umayyads, Abbasids, and Fatimids.[2] In later centuries, it was also adopted by regional rulers, especially in the western parts of the Muslim world, who used the caliphal rank to emphasize their independent authority and legitimacy, rather than any ecumenical claim.[2] The Umayyads of Cordoba adopted it in 928, whence it was also used by several other minor rulers of al-Andalus. From 1253, the Hafsids of Ifriqiya claimed the caliphate, and were followed by the Marinids of Morocco, following whom all successive Moroccan dynasties—the last two of them, the Saadi dynasty and the current Alaouite dynasty, also by virtue of their claimed descent from Muhammad[7]—have also claimed it.[2] The Constitution of Morocco still uses the term amīr al-muʾminīn as the principal title of the King of Morocco, as a means to "[legitimise the monarchy's] hegemonic role and its position outside significant constitutional restraint".[8]

At the same time, the title has retained a connotation of command in the jihād ('Holy War'), and has been used thus throughout history, without necessarily implying a claim to the caliphate.[2][9] It was used in this sense by the early Ottoman sultans—who notably rarely used the caliphal title after they took it from the Abbasids in 1517—as well as various West African Muslim warlords until the modern period.[2] The Afghan ruler Dost Mohammad Khan likewise used it when he proclaimed a jihād against the Sikh in 1836.[10] According to historian Richard Pennell, this pattern reflects the use of the term amīr al-muʾminīn for regional rulers with the connotations of wide-ranging and absolute authority over a region, the power to conduct relations with foreign states, the upkeep of the Sharia, and the protection of Muslim territory from non-believers.[11]

More recently, the title was adopted by the Taliban leader Mullah Omar in 1996,[10] and the Islamic State leader Abu Umar al-Baghdadi in 2005, nine years before IS proclaimed its caliphate in 2014.[12] As Richard Pennell commented, by claiming the title they positioned themselves as potential "caliphs-in-waiting",[11] but for the moment, the title was simply the expression of their claim to an overarching "activist authority" over the areas they controlled.[13]

Orthodox Shias apply the title exclusively to Ali,[2] the cousin of Muhammad, regarded as the first Imam by the Shi'a and the officially designated successor to Muhammad according to Shias.[14] Among the Zaydi Shias, the title retained strong connotations with the leadership of the jihād, and was thus the right of any rightful Imam who stepped forth to claim his right by force of arms.[2] The title was thus part of the titelature of the Zaydi Imams of Yemen until the end of the Yemeni monarchy.[2] The Kharijites did not use the term, except for the Rustamid dynasty.[2]

Current usage

Past usage

Non-Muslim usage

The Kitáb-i-Íqán, the primary theological work of the Baháʼí Faith, applies the title Commander of the Faithful to Ali, the son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[23]

A similar (but not the same) title[clarification needed] was afforded to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth's monarch as the Grand Duke of Lithuania by the Lipka Tatars, who used to speak a Turkic language. The title of sire was used "Vatad", as in "homeland" ("Vatan"), which meant "defender of the rights of Muslims in non-Islamic countries." The Grand Duchy was viewed as a new homeland. Vatad was viewed as a variation on the name Vytautas in Lithuanian or Władysław in Polish, which was known in the diplomatic notes between the Golden Horde and the countries of Poland (Lechistan) and Lithuania (Lipka) as "Dawood". One can claim that, since Casimir the Great, the Polish-Lithuanian monarch as the King of Poland was tasked with the protection of the rights of the Jews and other non-Christians.

In fiction

In James Joyce's 1939 novel Finnegans Wake (page 34.6), an informer who is spreading nasty rumours about the main character is described as "Ibid, commender of the frightful".

In the French comic series Iznogoud, Caliph Haroun El Poussah, one of the protagonists of the series, is frequently addressed by inferiors as commander of the faithful (commandeur des croyants in the original French).

Margaret Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale leaders of the fictional Republic of Gilead, a militaristic theonomy, are referred to as "Commanders of the Faithful."

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Vidani, Peter. ""Ameer al-Mu'mineen"". Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu). Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gibb 1960, p. 445.
  3. ^ "Life of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Donner 2012, pp. 135–136.
  5. ^ Donner 2012, pp. 98–99.
  6. ^ Donner 2012, pp. 210–211.
  7. ^ Pennell 2016, p. 6.
  8. ^ Pennell 2016, p. 7.
  9. ^ Pennell 2016.
  10. ^ a b Pennell 2016, p. 2.
  11. ^ a b Pennell 2016, p. 16.
  12. ^ Pennell 2016, pp. 2–3.
  13. ^ Pennell 2016, pp. 17–18.
  14. ^ Majlesi, Bahar al-Anwar, Vol. 37, P. 339, hadith 81
  15. ^ Shah Muhammad Waseem (2003): هندوستان ميں فارسى تاريخ نگارى: ٧١ويں صدى كے آخرى نصف سے ٨١ويں صدى كے پهلے نصف تک فارسى تاريخ نگارى كا ارتقاء, Kanishka Publishing, original source from the University of Michigan ISBN 9788173915376
  16. ^ Leonid Nikolaevich Sobolev (1876). Latest History of the Khanates of Bokhara and Kokand. Foreign Department Press.
  17. ^ John Esposito (2003). "Abd al-Qadir". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 1. ISBN 9780195125597.
  18. ^ Nazif Shahrani (1986). "State Building and Social Fragmentation in Afghanistan: A Historical Perspective". In Ali Banuazizi; Myron Weiner (eds.). The State, Religion, and Ethnic Politics: Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Syracuse University Press. p. 35. ISBN 9780815624486.
  19. ^ Thomas Joscelyn; Bill Roggio (2015-07-31). "The Taliban's new leadership is allied with al Qaeda". FDD's Long War Journal.
  20. ^ "Statement by the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate regarding the martyrdom of Amir ul Mumineen Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour and the election of the new leader". Voice of Jihad. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  21. ^ Evan Kohlmann (2006-10-15). "Controversy Grows Over Supposed Unity of Iraqi Mujahideen as Al-Qaida Announces Founding of Sunni Islamic State". Counterterrorism Blog. Archived from the original on 2009-10-13.
  22. ^ Cole Bunzel (March 2015). "From Paper State to Caliphate: The Ideology of the Islamic State" (PDF). The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World (Analysis Paper No. 19). Washington, D.C.: Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution.
  23. ^ [1] "The Kitáb-i-Íqán PART ONE". BAHA'I REFERENCE LIBRARY. Retrieved 2014-09-11.

Sources

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