Role of the Shurta in early Islam

Abstract

This thesis examines the institution of the shurta in the early Islamic period, especially during Umayyad times. The limited treatment previously accorded to this subject by scholars has concentrated on the fully-fledged shurta institution of high 'Abbasid times and later. This work attempts to trace the earlier development of the institution and more especially to examine its crucial role in Umayyad times.

The first chapter discusses possible origins of the shurta, whilst in the second chapter law and order arrangements in the Prophet's time are analysed and the beginnings of the shurta institution are traced to the caliphate of 'Uthman. Chapters 3,4 and 5 deal with the role of the shurta and their leader, the sahib al-shurta, against the political background of the Umayyad period, as well as treating the qualifications needed to hold such an office, the relationship between caliphs, governors and their sahib al-shurtas and the nature of the duties of the shurta. Chapter 6 provides details of the location, clothing and salaries of the shurta. Chapter 7 discusses other posts in the Umayyad administration which were also connected with the maintenance of law and order. Chapter 8 provides a number of individual biographies of important men who held the post of sahib al-shurta in the Umayyad period, whilst Chapter 9 traces briefly the development of the shurta institution in the early 'Abbasid period. Appendix I provides an English translation of a section of a first-hand 'Abbasid source (al-Burhän fi wujüh a1-bayän of ibn Wahh) which gives a code of conduct for the sahib al-shurta.