alternatehistory.com

My, my. Tamim Ansary's "Destiny Disrupted" is an informative and easy to read book.

In my quest to bring about the success of the Mu'tazilites and their Neoplotinus ways the big obstacle standing in their way was the Ulama class in Islamic Society. The Scholars who largely are a self-promoting group in Islamic Society with a tendacy towards a conservative approach o not asking questions. Especially Ibn Hanbal who seems to be the Martin Luther of Islam with his "Trust in the Bible and Hadiths only" approach to Islam. Now the Ulama by the time of the Abbasaids were tough cookies, they controlled laws, education, and social institutions.

Therefore we must go back and look to he original creator of the Ulama, the Caliph Omar. The guy actually responsible for banning alcohol. Namely, though it was the social religious crisis following The Prophet's death regarding a new to scrunch over every word he said, as after all since he was the Last Prophet his words were final and no new changes would come or be changed in religious thought-so there was a need to interpret and soft through his words by a devoted class of scholars.

So then, how does one remove or weaken the Ulama? The basis of their recruitment seems to be their biggest asset, namely that they picked themselves their own members. Which made them accoutable only to themselves. If the Ualama were selected instea amongst a certain class or ethnic group or were appointed then they would have a more assailable position in Islamic Society. Of course, if perhaps Muhammad had organize a religious book before his death then their possibly would be no need for the Ulama but then their may be no need for interpretation if his views were plainly set out.
Top