Sunday, October 09, 2011
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An excerpt from A Study of Islamic History- Prof. K. Ali
Muawiya as a king: Founder of hereditary kingship
Muawiya was the first man who transformed the Khilafat into a Mulk-republic to a kingship. He once, said, "I am first king among the kings," He made caliphate a hereditary kingship by nominating his son Yazeed in 674 A.D to the throne.
His example of nominating the next caliph became a precedent and was followed by the subsequent Caliphs of Ummayyad dynasty. Their practice was equally followed by the Abbassids and the later dynasties. Hence, he may be called the founder of hereditary kingship in the history of Islam.
The tribal democracy of his predecessors was gone for ever and Muawiya replaced it by his personal rule and autocracy which his successors turned into the pattern of the Byzantine or Persian absolution.
Outwardly, Muawiya observed the forms and functions of the Caliphs. Like the orthodox caliphs, he led the prayers on Friday, But unlike them, he kept himself aloof from the common Muslims. He gave up the simplicity and accessibility of Orthodox Caliphs.
His palace was guarded by guarded by armed soldiers and when he appeared in the public, he was surrounded by his bodyguards.
He regarded the public treasury as his personal property. He tackled all important problems in his personal capacity and had no connection with the Council of Elders.
Therefor, "the accession of Muawiya to the throne at Damascus heralded the end of Caliphate and the beginning of Kingship."
page 157
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