The Reflections of the Debates on the Belonging of the Imamate to the Quraysh in Fiqh and Political Thought: Alternative Interpretations of the Qurayshite Condition
The imamate, as the highest office responsible for enforcing religious rulings and governing worldly affairs, has long required careful consideration of the qualifications for those who assume this role. Consequently, the question of what qualities an imam, entrusted with governing the Islamic community, should possess has become a central issue in both Islamic legal and political thought. This question is particularly important because it concerns issues of legitimacy and the relationship between rulers, the ruled, and governance. Islamic jurists have established a set of criteria for those seeking to govern Muslims, based on religious texts (naṣṣ), sectarian doctrines, juristic reasoning, and the political and social experiences throughout Islamic history. Among these criteria, Qurayshite lineage occupies a distinctive position, grounded in naṣṣ/ḥadīth and emphasizing lineage, setting it apart from other requirements. This condition has remained significant for centuries due to its continued relevance in discussions of the imamate and its direct connection to political legitimacy, especially during periods of non-Qurayshi rule.
From the outset of Sunni tradition, the prevailing view was that the caliph must be of Quraysh descent. However, over time, particularly with the decline of the Abbasid caliphate in Baghdad and the rise of the Turkish-Circassian Mamluks, some scholars began to question the necessity of Quraysh lineage. Despite these critiques, no consensus emerged to overturn this requirement. This study revisits the Qurayshite condition from various perspectives, exploring alternative solutions proposed by scholars to address the legitimacy concerns associated with this criterion. The central argument of the article is that the legitimacy concerns raised by the Qurayshite condition were not entirely disregarded by the ulema. On the contrary, the attempts to address these concerns reflect the ulema's active engagement with and influence on political realities.
Müddesir DEMİR
