Mawālī in the Social Structure at the Advent of Islam

Hacı Mehmet Altuntaş

Makale detayları

Mawālī in the Social Structure at the Advent of Islam

Yazarlar:

Hacı Mehmet Altuntaş

Yayıncı:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Araştırmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.1-18

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

9/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358773

pISSN:

2687-2692

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This article examines the phenomenon of the Mawālī within the Arab tribal structure during the period and context of the advent of Islam, and the mechanisms through which this status emerged. The central thesis posits that the primary impetus behind the formation and functioning of the Mawālī institution in this era was the pervasive security challenge confronting individuals and communities. The study analyzes key patronage and integration mechanisms prevalent in the Hijaz region, including civār protection or asylum, hilf alliance, and emancipation of slaves, leading to walāʾ relationships. Findings reveal that these practices served as critical security contracts, often predicated on existing power relations, providing vital means for survival and social integration for non-tribal or vulnerable elements within the fragmented tribal landscape of the Jāhiliyyah. This period was characterized by constant conflict, raids, and blood feuds, rendering individuals outside strong kinship networks highly vulnerable. The article further discusses the significant transformation these systems underwent in the early Islamic period under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing a conscious shift towards a community bound by faith-based equality, moving away from rigid kinship solidarity, and establishing a central authority for collective security against external threats and internal disputes. Drawing upon classical Islamic historical sources, sīra, maghāzī, tafsīr, and adab literature, complemented by modern scholarly research, this study offers a specific contribution to the existing literature on the Mawālī concept. While much research often focuses on the integration of non-Arab populations into the Muslim community after the Islamic conquests, this article distinctively highlights the origins and early development of Mawālī status as a response to internal security and integration needs within the pre-existing Arab tribal framework.

 This article examines the phenomenon of the Mawālī within the Arab tribal structure during the period and context of the advent of Islam, and the mechanisms through which this status emerged. The central thesis posits that the primary impetus behind the formation and functioning of the Mawālī institution in this era was the pervasive security challenge confronting individuals and communities. The study analyzes key patronage and integration mechanisms prevalent in the Hijaz region, including civār protection or asylum, hilf alliance, and emancipation of slaves, leading to walāʾ relationships. Findings reveal that these practices served as critical security contracts, often predicated on existing power relations, providing vital means for survival and social integration for non-tribal or vulnerable elements within the fragmented tribal landscape of the Jāhiliyyah. This period was characterized by constant conflict, raids, and blood feuds, rendering individuals outside strong kinship networks highly vulnerable. The article further discusses the significant transformation these systems underwent in the early Islamic period under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing a conscious shift towards a community bound by faith-based equality, moving away from rigid kinship solidarity, and establishing a central authority for collective security against external threats and internal disputes. Drawing upon classical Islamic historical sources, sīra, maghāzī, tafsīr, and adab literature, complemented by modern scholarly research, this study offers a specific contribution to the existing literature on the Mawālī concept. While much research often focuses on the integration of non-Arab populations into the Muslim community after the Islamic conquests, this article distinctively highlights the origins and early development of Mawālī status as a response to internal security and integration needs within the pre-existing Arab tribal framework.

 This article examines the phenomenon of the Mawālī within the Arab tribal structure during the period and context of the advent of Islam, and the mechanisms through which this status emerged. The central thesis posits that the primary impetus behind the formation and functioning of the Mawālī institution in this era was the pervasive security challenge confronting individuals and communities. The study analyzes key patronage and integration mechanisms prevalent in the Hijaz region, including civār protection or asylum, hilf alliance, and emancipation of slaves, leading to walāʾ relationships. Findings reveal that these practices served as critical security contracts, often predicated on existing power relations, providing vital means for survival and social integration for non-tribal or vulnerable elements within the fragmented tribal landscape of the Jāhiliyyah. This period was characterized by constant conflict, raids, and blood feuds, rendering individuals outside strong kinship networks highly vulnerable. The article further discusses the significant transformation these systems underwent in the early Islamic period under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing a conscious shift towards a community bound by faith-based equality, moving away from rigid kinship solidarity, and establishing a central authority for collective security against external threats and internal disputes. Drawing upon classical Islamic historical sources, sīra, maghāzī, tafsīr, and adab literature, complemented by modern scholarly research, this study offers a specific contribution to the existing literature on the Mawālī concept. While much research often focuses on the integration of non-Arab populations into the Muslim community after the Islamic conquests, this article distinctively highlights the origins and early development of Mawālī status as a response to internal security and integration needs within the pre-existing Arab tribal framework.

 Bu makale, İslamın doğduğu dönem ve ortamda, Arap kabile yapısı içindeki mevâlî olgusunu ve bunun ortaya çıkış mekanizmalarını incelemektedir. Çalışmanın temel tezi, söz konusu dönemde mevâlî kurumunun şekillenmesindeki ve işleyişindeki ana saikin, birey ve toplulukların karşı karşıya kaldığı yaygın güvenlik problemi olduğu yönündedir. Araştırma, Hicaz bölgesinde yaygın olan civâr korunma veya sığınma, hilf ittifak ve azatlık kölelerin özgürleştirilmesiyle oluşan velâ ilişkileri gibi temel himaye ve entegrasyon mekanizmalarını analiz etmektedir. Bulgular, bu pratiklerin genellikle mevcut güç ilişkileri üzerine kurulu kritik güvenlik sözleşmeleri gibi işlev gördüğünü, dağınık kabile yapısı içindeki kabile dışı veya savunmasız unsurlar için hayatta kalma ve toplumsal düzene katılım açısından hayati araçlar sağladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu dönem, sürekli çatışma, yağma ve kan davalarıyla karakterize edilmiş, güçlü akrabalık ağları dışındaki bireyleri son derece savunmasız bırakmıştır. Makale ayrıca, bu himaye sistemlerinin Hz. Peygamber rehberliğinde erken İslam döneminde geçirdiği önemli dönüşümü ele almaktadır. Bu dönüşümün, katı nesep temelli dayanışmadan inanç temelli eşitliğe doğru bilinçli bir kaymayı vurgulayarak, dış tehditlere ve iç anlaşmazlıklara karşı toplu güvenlik için merkezi bir otorite kurmayı hedeflediği gösterilmektedir. Klasik İslam tarihi kaynakları, siyer, megāzî, tefsir ve edebiyat literatürüne dayanarak ve modern araştırmalarla desteklenerek, bu çalışma mevâlî kavramı üzerine mevcut literatüre spesifik bir katkı sunmaktadır. Çoğu araştırma genellikle İslam fetihleri sonrası Arap olmayan kitlelerin Müslüman topluma entegrasyonuna odaklanırken, bu makale mevâlî statüsünün kökenlerini ve erken dönem gelişimini, Arap kabile yapısı içindeki güvenlik ve entegrasyon ihtiyaçlarına bir yanıt olarak belirgin bir şekilde vurgulamaktadır.

Makale detayları

Mawālī in the Social Structure at the Advent of Islam

Yazarlar:

Hacı Mehmet Altuntaş

Yayıncı:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Araştırmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.1-18

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

9/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358773

pISSN:

2687-2692

Islamic History

Mawālī

Civār

Ḥilf

Jāhiliyyahİslam Tarihi

Mevâlî

Civâr

Hilf

Câhiliye

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Hacı Mehmet Altuntaş

Yayıncı: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Ana Başlıklar: İslam Araştırmaları (Diğer)

Dergi: Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.1-18

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 9/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001358773

pISSN: 2687-2692

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Hacı Mehmet Altuntaş

Yayıncı:

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Ana Başlıklar:

İslam Araştırmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Kilitbahir Issue 27, pp.1-18

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

9/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358773

pISSN:

2687-2692