Mardini, S.

English

This thesis purports to elucidate whether or
not there is a framework of political, implications
in the document of the Qur'än. The - investigation
is prompted by a controversy existing among some
Muslim, as well as orientalist, scholars. One, group
of scholars holds the view that the Qur'an has
political connotations and can, be considered as
the source of political theory. Another group
asserts that the Qur'än is a religious document
and has no political implications.

The author of this thesis assumes that by
returning to the document of the Qur'an itself and
examining its terminology against the exegecy of
Muslim scholars and the background of the
circumstances of revelation, a clearer view of the
controversy can be attained.

The introductory chapter outlines the
controversy. The view of both: groups is briefly
discussed. The methodology of research is explained
The author introduces seven controversial terms
which it is proposed to examine in the thesis.

These terms are: ummah, walä', ikhwah,; khalifah,
imam, ulü al-amr, and shüra.

The first chapter deals with. the concept of
ummah as it is encountered in the Qur'än and its
development. The term is examined in the light of
the interpretations of the major Muslim exegetes:
Here the lexical meaning, as well 'as the possible
political dimensions, are the focus of the
discussion. The term is then examined in the light
of the writings of Muslim political theorists,
classical 'and modern.

The concepts of walä' and ukhüwah are
discussed in Chapter 2. ' The focus of attention is
directed to the possible implications the terms
might have in relation to political phenomena.
These terms are then examined in the context 'of
their pragmatic and practical application -in "the
historical setting of Madinah at the time of the
Prophet.

In the third chapter the concepts of khalifah,
imäm and ulü al-amr are examined in the manner of
Chapter 1. The terms here are examined against the
background of their usage at the time of the
Qur'änic revelation. Their different shades of
meaning are then examined in the light of the
interpretations of the main writings of Muslim
exegetes. The terms are also examined in terms of
their modern concepts. The concepts of these terms
are again examined with reference to their
possible interpretations, first against the lexical
meaning then against the writings of Muslim
scholars.

In Chapter 4 the concept of shürä is examined
with reference to its nature and relevance to
authority in the Islamic ummah.

In Chapter 5 two practices within the ummah,
namely al-zakat and al-jihad are discussed.

Finally, an attempt is made to assess the
political nature of the terms proposed in this
study

Mardini, Souran

Edinburgh Research Archive

Fundamental religio-political concepts in the sources of Islam

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Fundamental religio-political concepts in the sources of Islam.

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