Scientific event

Since the end of the Umayyad era and the beginning of the Abbasid dynasty, the Islamic Maghreb witnessed its first political divisions with the eastern caliphate. The establishment of the Abbasid era coincided with the emergence of independent states founded on tribal structures, as brilliantly analysed by thinker Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun in his theories on tribal governance. These theories emphasize the authority of an influential family stemming from a dominant tribe.
While the authority of the sword—representing strength and state legitimacy—remained the cornerstone of power for a long time, it did not overshadow the growing influence of another form of authority: the authority of the pen, embodied by the “Fuqahà” (jurists) of Sharia. Through their knowledge and social standing, these Fuqahà acted as intermediaries between political power and society. They fulfilled administrative and regulatory functions and were often sought out by populations for arbitration and conflict resolution.
Thus, the Fuqahà played a pivotal role in shaping political life. Their involvement varied depending on the stability of central power, the personalities of the rulers, and the intellectual calibre of the jurists themselves.
This is precisely the dimension I intend to explore during the conference, by addressing the following questions:
1. What were the functions of Fuqahà in the Islamic Maghreb, and what was the scope of their participation in political life?
2. How did their participation influence political, intellectual, and social spheres?
To answer these questions, I will rely on a diverse corpus of historical books, historiography, compilations of merits, jurisprudential cases, and other major sources. Additionally, I will integrate insights from orientalists and contemporary experts who have examined this theme.