Excellence and Precedence: Medieval Islamic Discourse on Legitimate Leadership (Islamic History and Civilization) [Hardcover]

Asma Afsaruddin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9004120432 | ISBN-13: 978-9004120433 | Publication Date: February 1, 2002

This volume focuses on how legitimate leadership came to be defined in the formative period of Islam in terms of two key Qur'anic concepts: moral excellence ("fadl/fadila") and precedence ("sabiqa"). These two concepts undergirded a specific discourse on leadership which developed in the first century of Islam. This discourse is reconstructed through careful scrutiny of the "manaqib" literature in particular, which contains detailed accounts of the excellences attributed to the Rashidun caliphs. This work stresses that all early factions, including the proto-Shi'a, subscribed to the Qur'anically-mandated vision of a righteous polity guided by its most morally excellent members. Such a conclusion forces us to rethink the nature of leadership in the earliest period and reconsider the criteria invoked to establish its legitimacy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'..".the book's epistemic value is immense...In academe, the work should be a vital part of any reading list for graduate comprehensive examinations in Islamic studies.'
Khaleel Mohammed, "H-Net Reviews, 2004.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 310 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004120432
• ISBN-13: 978-9004120433
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,145,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.