Refashioning the caliphate : imperial vicissitudes and the deformation of order

Abstract

Relying on the work of the political philosopher, Eric Voegelin, I argue that in the caliphate-related theoretical fabrics that appeared as of the Umayyad founding caliphs up to Al-Banna, a relation emerged between imperial vicissitudes, the ensuing anxieties and the desire to eliminate recalcitrant realities on one end, and the deformation of the meaning of the caliphate, of grand conceptions of order and of the mystery on the other end. Phases of Caliphal imperial ascent and imperial floating saw a mode of deformation which consisted of mystery-distorting conceptions, hence pointing to a metastatic consciousness which escaped from the metaxy heading towards the transcendent pole. Phases of imperial decay saw a mode of deformation which was characterized by a general avoidance of the mystery, and an immersion in profaneness, hence pointing to a metastatic consciousness which escaped form the metaxy heading towards the immanent pole. Both modes were outcomes of a superbia-based emotional difficulty preventing the libidinous self from bearing the persisting cognitive anxieties aroused by imperial vicissitudes. I demonstrate that characteristic of the phase of imperial ascent and imperial floating is the accentuation of the individual caliph/imam, and the customization of mystery distorting conceptions to solidify his status in the system of transcendental representation such as constructing him as God's deputy. This accentuation of the caliph is underpinned by the desire to boost his role in the system of existential representation especially his imperial status. Characteristic of the phase of imperial descent and imperial encroachment is the accentuation of the umma and the construction of the caliph as the umma's deputy, and a general avoidance of the mystery. The accentuation of the umma is underpinned by the desire to reinvent the system of existential representation and invoke maximal power which would end the state of imperial decay or encroachment.