Routledge Religious Scholars and the Umayyads - Marwanid Caliphate History

Religious Scholars and the Umayyads examines legal and theological developments during the Marwanid period (64/684-132/750), exploring how religious scholars supported and shaped the Umayyad caliphate. This scholarly work challenges the conventional view that early Islamic faith developed primarily through religious dissenters opposed to Umayyad rule. Instead, it demonstrates how a network of scholars across multiple generations actively influenced Islamic theological and legal traditions. The book gives particular attention to Umayyad qadi officials, who occupied a unique position bridging religious authority and imperial power. Through prosopographical analysis, the study reveals the complex relationships between religious leadership and political authority during this formative period of Islamic history, offering fresh insights into how the emerging Muslim faith took shape under Umayyad governance.