Historical Evolution of a Term; Ra iyyat and its Classification in Islamic Administration

Ra’iyyat, is used in three semantic fields in Islamic resources: it’s oldest and the most pervasive usage was known as one subordinates a ruler. This colloquial sense, based on the literal meaning of the word ra’i defined as shepherding and pasturing cattle, refers to an ancient tradition according to which the image of a ruler was a resemblance of a shepherd who protect and guide the people. In this sense, raiyyathas been the subject for many discussions and teachings in Islamic literature, especially in the books such as Adab al-Muluk (the king’s manners) and also official documents and letters in the first ten centuries of Islamic era. Since ra’iyyat had no right to meddle in political and military affairs, the second application of the term ra’ iyyat, means civilians, became prevalent in the Islamic literature and administration. According to many Islamic resources,in central and eastern regions of Islamic world, particularly, this term referred to classes of the king followers who were not allowed to carry weapons. The same definition of ra’iyyat became particularly prevalent in Safavid and Ottoman administration and ra’iyyat was used as a governmental term vis-à-vis “army”. The third definition of ra’iyyat was used to refer to the producers, taxpayers and farmers that often lived in central and eastern regions after the tenth century. Agricultural productions in main parts of the Islamic world were carried out on the basis of landlordism system and so vassals were the most important workers. In this article, along with explaining and comparing these three semantic fields, the historical evolution of the term in the related Islamic texts and also classification of ra’aya in Islamic administration will be considered .