Early Islamic Oman (ca-622/280-893): a political history

This thesis is an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of Omani political history from the advent of Islam until the collapse of the second Ibadi imamate in 280/983.

The work commences with a review of the political situation in pre-Islamic Oman, with special emphasis on the arrival of the Azd and other Arab tribes in Oman. The Islamicization of Oman and its early relations with the Islamic central authorities in Medina are dealt with extensively, and the position of Oman during the Umayyad caliphate is discussed in depth. The relationship between the Omanis and the Khawarij is reappraised.

The middle section of the thesis deals with the foundation of the Ibadi school in Basra, the spread of Ibadi teachings in Oman, and the concept of imamate according to Ibadi doctrines. The heavy involvement of the Azd tribe in the promulgation of Ibadi teachings is highlighted.

The establishment of the first Ibadi imamate (132-134/750-752) is one of the most important events in Omani history, and this momentous occurrence is examined at length. The rise of the second Ibadi-imamate and the policies of its various imams are covered extensively; the thesis concludes with the civil war and the collapse of this imamate in 280/893.

 

The full thesis is available HERE