The Command of the Faithful in al-Andalus

A Study in the Articulation of Caliphal Legitimacy

Bibliographic Data

ID8969044
AuthorsJanina M Safran (0000-0002-4393-6162, Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author), Janina Safran
Year1998
Volume30
Issue2
Pages183-198
Publication date1998-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal Middle East Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7438 • E-ISSN: 1471-6380
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0020743800065867
OpenAlexW2037911730
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited19

In 929, the eighth Umayyad ruler of al-Andalus, ʿAbd al-Rahman III (r. 912–61) formally assumed the exclusive caliphal prerogatives of khuṭba and sikka . After nearly two centuries of independent Umayyad rule in the Iberian peninsula, ʿAbd al-Rahman III issued a circular to his governors directing them to address him forthwith as amīr al-muʾminīn , or Commander of the Faithful, and to ensure that the khuṭba , or Friday sermon, in every congregational mosque invoked his name with this designation. With this he reclaimed the Umayyad dynasty's rights to the caliphal title: “We have understood that to continue not to use this title, which is incumbent upon us, is to allow one of our rights to decay and a firm designation to become lost.” Later the same year, he established a mint in Cordoba and ordered the striking of gold dinars in his name ( sikka ), resuming the minting of gold coins in al-Andalus, which had been suspended since the overthrow of the Umayyad caliphate in Syria

Ancient history · Archaeology · Articulation (sociology · Caliphate · Islam · Legitimacy · Peninsula · Political science · Ruler · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classics · History · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Islamic Studies and History · Law

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