The Persian-Islamic theory of kingship is a code of rules, norms and statements similar to those of medieval sultans, caliphs and kings. It is based on the Koran, the Sunnah and the Hadith, as well as on the works of Muslim jurists, theologians and philosophers.
The main principles of the Persian-Islamic theory of kingship are:
– The king must obey God and follow His commands;
– The king must make fair judgments;
– The king must be elected by the people;
– The king must be an Imam (a leader of prayer);
– The people must obey the king.
What distinguishes the Persian-Islamic theory of kingship from other types of kingship is that it is based on religious principles. The concept of kingship in Islam is different from the concept of kingship in other religions (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism). In Islam, the concept of kingship is based on the Koran, the Sunnah and the Hadith, as well as on the works of Muslim jurists, theologians and philosophers. The Persian-Islamic theory of kingship has been influential in the development of the political systems of many Muslim countries (e.g., Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman).
FAQ
The Perso-Islamic theory of kingship is based on the belief that God has appointed the ruler as His vicegerent on earth and that the ruler must therefore rule according to His laws.
This theory arose in the Muslim world after the Arab conquests, when Muslim rulers began to encounter different theories of kingship from the conquered peoples. They synthesized these various theories into a single framework which combined elements of Islamic theology with Persian and Hellenistic ideas.
The key components of this theory are divine right, justice, consultation, and accountability.
This theory differs from other theories of kingship in its emphasis on divine right and accountability to God.
The implications of this theory for rulers are that they must rule justly and consult with their subjects, while the implications for subjects are that they must obey their rulers unless they violate God's laws.
This theory has been applied in practice throughout history by many Muslim rulers, though not always consistently or successfully.
The challenges this theory faces in the modern world include secularism, democracy, and human rights movements which all challenge traditional ideas about royal authority
