Shafaqna English- “Reflections on the Ashura movement” is a book written by “Rasul Jafarian” in Persian, published by Ansarian Publication. Shafaqna English has translated some sections of this book.
Three Types of Political Systems from the Prophet’s (PBUH) Time to the Rule of Muawiyah
From the beginning of the Islamic government in Medina until the time of Karbala, three types of political systems were experienced:
A. The Prophetic and Wilayah-Based System
This was led by the Prophet (PBUH) within the framework of concepts found in the Quran and his life example. The relationship between people and the Prophet (PBUH) was based on obedience to divine commands and allegiance to Islam. This Prophetic system is the model that Shia Islam follows in its concept of Wilayah (guardianship).
B. The Second System: The Caliphate – A Kind of Islamic Republic Without a Guardian Jurist (Wali-ye-Faqih)
The caliphate system was not intended to be hereditary by nature; it was supposed to be merit-based. Simplicity of lifestyle, at least outwardly, still held value. This system continued up until the middle of Uthman’s rule. However, afterward, the situation gradually began to change, moving toward the third type of system.
C. The Third System: Monarchic-Caliphate
This system resembled the royal systems of the pre-Islamic Romans and Persians, complete with all their accompanying elements. From Uthman’s behavior in appointing Umayyads to govern various cities, one can already detect the scent of hereditary rule. When Muawiyah came to power, he fully established a monarchy.
He was pleased to be called “king” (sultan), and some of the Companions — who had witnessed the caliphate and could distinguish it from the emerging Umayyad monarchy — mockingly referred to him as such. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, for instance, sarcastically called him a “king of a kingdom,” not a caliph. Muawiyah himself even said: “I am the first of the kings.”
This trajectory taken by the Umayyads was well understood by the Imams (AS). For example, Imam Hassan (AS), during a public speech in the Mosque when making peace with Muawiyah, addressed him as follows: “The true caliph is the one who follows the way of the Messenger of God (PBUH) and acts in obedience to him. A caliph is not one who rules with oppression, abandons the Prophet’s (PBUH) traditions, and takes the world as his father and mother.”
Part of the Book Reflection on the Ashura movement by Rasul Jafarian