Amir al-Muminin
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Amir al-Muminin (Arabic أمير المؤمنين) usually translated Commander of the Faithful or Prince of the Faithful (a better translation might be Leader of the Believers), is the Arabic style of Caliphs and other independent sovereign Muslim rulers that claim legitimacy from a community of Muslims. It has been claimed as the title of rulers in Muslim countries and empires and is still used for some Muslim leaders.
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[edit] Use
The title is also used by Shia Muslims to refer to their first Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, since he was also the Caliph. Sunni Muslims use it to refer to the first four Caliphs, the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs. It has also been adopted by various Caliphs of the succeeding Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, as well as by some contemporary Arab monarchs.
[edit] Sunni view
Sunni view that Umar was the first person to be given the title:
Suyuti, a 15th century Sunni Islamic scholar
[edit] Shi'a view
Shi'a view that Ali was given the title during Muhammad's era.
[edit] Current positions that officially use this title
- According to the Moroccan constitution the King of Morocco is also Amir al-Muminin.
- The Sultan of Sokoto
[edit] Defunct offices that officially used this title
- Various Caliphs.
- The Taliban leader Mohammed Omar took the title while he was in control of Afghanistan.
[edit] Leaders for whom supporters informally used the title
- Gen. Zia-ul-Haq
[edit] References
<References/>ar:أمير المؤمنين es:Príncipe de los creyentes fr:Commandeur des croyants pt:Amir al-Mu'minin
