ISLAMIC APOCALYPTIC: ITS ROOTS, CHARACTERISTICS AND EARLY HISTORY

Abstract

Apocalypticism is a vitally important and essential element for understanding thebackground, origin and development of Islam, and continues to have a major impact on the Islamic world to this very day. Apocalyptic beliefs have been a driver of change throughout Islamic history from the beginning of the Prophet’s mission, impelling wars of conquest, igniting rebellions often on a large scale, and causing the rise and overthrow of dynasties. The waves of apocalyptic beliefs have varied in intensity and importance over the centuries of Islam’s existence; however I contend that these expectations were especially strong and absolutely central in early Islam. In addition, narratives about the End Times have been a factor in promoting the widespread view in Islam of the steep decline in the state of the Umma since prophetic times thereby serving to undermine the legitimacy of rulers, as well as that of the clerics with governmental connections. Furthermore, apocalyptic narratives have been instrumental in shaping Muslims’ gender and ethnic views. This paper will examine the nature of the early Islamic apocalyptic, its roots and history, with a focus on those traditions which led to changes in leadership in the central Islamic lands, into the second century of the Abbasid period with the Caliphate of al-Maʾmūn, who, as the evidence strongly indicates, allowed apocalyptic concepts especially in the form of Messianism to guide his actions, one of which, his attempt to establish himself as a doctrinal as well as a political ruler, would have repercussions for centuries.