Page 188 - UAE Truncal States

The Islamic Basis of Society

the political aspect, the most intimate synthesis of tribal and Islamic
principles evolved in the form of the Imamate in Oman. At times of
peace and economic prosperity the tribes of Oman rallied round their
Imam—wherever he happened to spread his prayer-mat and make
the seat of government—in the same way as tribesmen rally round
their shaikhs and different factions accept the leadership of the
lamlmah. During periods of strife, occupation and destruction of
economic resources, the population endeavoured to survive such
times by rallying to the tribal entity, and in the case of the settled
population, to the tribal neighbourhood. For the non-Ibadi tribal
Muslim of Eastern Arabia, Islam was also so intertwined with the
tribal structure that even there the political focus, the shaikh of the
tribe or the Ruler of a federation of tribes, is expected to be a leader
and an example in religious matters.
Islam has taken the sting out of the pre-Islamic tribal system of
compulsory revenge for any and every injury, by introducing
forgiveness as a praiseworthy act. It has levelled the difference
between members of different tribes by making them brothers in the
same creed; it has changed the status of women, who in pre-Islamic
times were often considered merely as objects of possession. Above
all, Islam has brought to the tribal society a law which has its point of
reference outside the tribal structure; it is undoubtable, uninfluence-
able and eternal. The all-embracing character of the Islamic system
did not conflict with the tribal basis of society, as both enhanced the
way of life which characterised the society of the Trucial States
before the discovery of oil.

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