The Authority of the Caliph

Abstract

Al-Ḥakam II ruled because he was descended from the Umayyad caliphs of Damascus through a distinguished genealogy. However, the dynasty's legacy had to be reworked in order to meet the Fāṭimid threat, which was considered very real. This led to the formulation of an Umayyad ideology that insisted on anti-Shīʿite slogans such as strict adherence to Islamic tradition, the rejection of innovation, the visible benefits that Umayyad rule had brought to al-Andalus, or the caliph's interest in the welfare of his subjects. All these aspects were expressed in official letters, epigraphs or poetry by court poets, which reveal the sophistication of the political discourse of the Umayyad caliphate. However, there is also evidence that this official discourse was contested by al-Ḥakam II's political opponents, revealing political tensions within his court.