Maathir al-Inafa fi Maalim al-Khilafa
- Author died
- 821 AH
- Editions
- Matba'at Hukumat al-Kuwait
Maathir al-Inafa fi Maalim al-Khilafa (Noble Deeds of Eminence in the Landmarks of the Caliphate) is a treatise on the Islamic caliphate by the Egyptian scholar and chancery official Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Ali al-Qalqashandi (d. 821 AH / 1418 CE) . It synthesizes constitutional jurisprudence, biographical history, administrative decrees, and chancery documents related to the caliphate from the dawn of Islam down to the author's own lifetime .
Composition and Context
Al-Qalqashandi began composing the book in early 819 AH (1416 CE), making it one of his latest works . He dedicated it to the contemporary Abbasid Caliphate in Cairo, al-Mu'tadid bi-Llah Abu al-Fath Dawud (the son of al-Mutawakkil 'ala Allah Muhammad), intending it as a comprehensive survey of caliphal history and institutions .
The work draws heavily on the administrative documentation and legal traditions that al-Qalqashandi also incorporated across his vast chancery encyclopedia, Subh al-A'sha, and he cited Maathir al-Inafa in his genealogical work Qala'id al-Juman .
Structure and Contents
The author arranged the book into an introduction (muqaddimah), seven chapters (abwab), and an epilogue (khatimah) :
- Introduction: Covers the linguistic and conventional meanings of the caliphate, who may be called a caliph, whom the caliph represents, relational titles, kunyas, and honorifics .
- Chapter 1: Addresses the legal obligation to establish the imamate, the requisite qualifications of the caliph, the valid procedures of contractual appointment, the mutual obligations between the ruler and subjects, and the circumstances leading to deposition .
- Chapter 2: Provides a historical chronicle of every caliph from the early days of Islam to the author's era, detailing their reigns, contemporary regional governors across the Islamic world, historical events, the shifting seats of the caliphate, ancient court hierarchy, and refutations of illegitimate claimants to the office .
- Chapter 3: Details the texts of allegiance pledges (bay'at) and covenants of succession ('uhud) drafted for caliphs throughout history .
- Chapter 4: Focuses on caliphal investiture documents for regional kings, princes, viziers, judges, prayer leaders, syndics of nobility (niqabat dhawi al-ansab), and other religious and administrative offices .
- Chapter 5: Covers caliphal decrees regarding land grants (iqta'at), calendar adjustments (tahwil al-sinin), and covenants governing non-Muslim subjects (ahl al-dhimmah) .
- Chapter 6: Collects official correspondences issued by caliphs and designated heirs, as well as diplomatic letters sent to them by kings and ministers .
- Chapter 7: Assembles historical firsts (awa'il), curiosities, and rare anecdotes related to caliphs .
- Epilogue: Devoted to the virtues and merits of the reigning caliph, al-Mu'tadid bi-Llah .
Modern Publication
The text was edited from manuscript by Abd al-Sattar Ahmad Farraj and published in three volumes in Kuwait in 1964 as part of the Arab Heritage series, with a second edition appearing in 1985 .
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