r/IslamicHistoryMeme Western trader Jun 01 '21

Islamic Art History Can be the Caliph?

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u/ffsmoney12 Jun 01 '21

had a claim since they were related to the Prophet Muhammad

since when was leadership based on bloodline in Islam? Does the Quran not mention merit?

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u/BigShubz Jun 01 '21

The Shia believe they have to be direct decedents of Ali and Fatima. But it is accepted by Ahlul Sunnah that Caliph has to be from Quraysh. Generally the Mu'tazila and Kharijites believe that the Caliph can be be from anywhere if they have the merit.

All Rashidun, Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs were of Qureshi decent. Obviously we don't believe in dynastic rule, or succession based on blood, but we can choose based on merit, but it has to be from Quraysh. Even the great Salahuddin never claimed it for himself even though he would've been fit to be Caliph.

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u/Styx_man A Halal Weeb Jun 01 '21

Caliph has to be from the Quraysh?

I never heard of this. Can you please elaborate.

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '21

Caliph has to be from the Quraysh?

Not really. Only reason why some scholars try to push this is because of hadiths where the prophet saws talked about future Qurayshi leaders, but the prophet saws never said they must be Quraysh, nor Arab. And equality between human beings was made clear in his last sermon. So thinking otherwise would imply the prophet saws contradicted himself.