Arab Nationalism in the Context of Muawiyah and Abbas
In the pre-Islamic era, when universal law had not yet found a platform for implementation, local dynamics based on tribalism existed in the Arabian Peninsula, rather than law. This tribalism, which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) struggled with during his prophethood and transformed into a common denominator of religious brotherhood, began to resurface after his death. This narrow tribal tribalism, rooted in the ancient Umayyad/Hashemite rivalry, culminated in the victory of the Umayyads in the period beginning with Uthman, enabling them to establish the state bearing their name. This ancient rivalry, backed by the state power established in Damascus, evolved into a veritable Arab nationalism during the Umayyad period. The Shu'ubiyya movement, which emerged as an antithesis to the Umayyad policy of mawali (religious affiliation) against non-Arab Muslims, served the same purpose and was a key driver of the collapse of the Umayyad state. This nationalist approach continued, albeit in a modified form, in the newly established Abbasid state, leaving behind intractable areas of controversy for those who came after them. It appears that the inherent human tendency toward closeness (nepotism) will continue to be a tendency that undermines peace and tranquility among people, even if it changes name and form, as long as it is not constrained by divine norms. This book examines the manifestations of this disease of tribalism, inherited from the Age of Ignorance, during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
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