014005 VO Islamic History II (tarih al-islam) (2025S)

This lecture offers an analytical and differentiated examination of the historical development of Islam with a special focus on the formation of Shiite Islam, the rule of the Būyids and Fāṭimids, and the political and theological transformations under the Seljuqs and subsequent dynasties. These processes are considered in the context of the central political, theological, and social dynamics that had a lasting impact on Islamic thought and its institutional structures.
The biography of the Prophet Muḥammad is summarized at the beginning, with a focus on the political and theological implications of his revelation and his rule. The discussion covers the Meccan and Medinan phases, during which fundamental theological concepts were developed and the first Muslim polity emerged. In this context, the question of the relationship between religious authority and political leadership is also raised, a debate that has been fought over again and again in Islamic history. This question becomes particularly important with the transition to the time of the four “righteous” caliphs, in which internal Islamic conflicts over succession manifested themselves for the first time. The tensions that arose from this eventually culminated in the split of the Umma, which deepened with the Umayyad dynasty. The political change from a collectivist model of leadership to a hereditary monarchy under the Umayyads, as well as the subsequent rule of the Abbasids, will be considered in a condensed form, with the theological arguments for and against the respective forms of rule taking center stage.
The actual focus of the lecture is on the emergence of Shiite Islam, its early theological and political concepts, and the resulting structural changes within the Islamic world. The emergence of Shiism is analyzed in close connection with the crisis of the caliphate and the question of the legitimate succession of the Prophet. The role of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib and his descendants, who were regarded by the Shiites as the rightful leaders of the Muslim community, is particularly significant in this context. The resulting theological concepts, in particular the idea of the imamate doctrine, which emphasizes the spiritual and political right of leadership of ʿAlī's descendants, are traced in their development in the history of ideas. The early history of Shi'ite Islam is also characterized by conflicts with the Sunni majority, which is reflected in particular in the uprisings and martyrdoms of important Shi'ite figures. The death of al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī in the Battle of Karbalāʾ not only marked a central event for the identity of Shiite Islam, but also led to the further development of specific ritual practices and theological reflections on justice and sacrifice.
The rule of the Būyids, a Persian dynasty that controlled large parts of the Abbasid Empire in the 10th century, represents a key period in the consolidation of Shiite power. Under the Buyids, the influence of Shiite theology and practice was significantly strengthened. Despite their support for Shiite scholars, they formally retained the Abbasid caliph in order not to jeopardize their political legitimacy. Their rule led to increased support for Shiite institutions and the introduction of public celebrations such as the ʿĀshūrāʾ memorial ceremonies, which continue to play a central role in the Shiite tradition to this day. At the same time, the Fatimids established themselves in North Africa and later in Egypt as one of the most important Shiite dynasties. The Fatimids regarded themselves as legitimate caliphs and used Ismaili doctrine as the ideological basis of their rule. Their political system was characterized by a close link between religious authority and state administration, which is particularly evident from the central role of the daʿwa system, which served to spread Ismaili teachings. The Fatimid rule in Egypt also brought about significant cultural and scientific flourishing, particularly in the cit