John the OFM | 06 Aug 2014 11:13 a.m. PST |
I am speaking specifically of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State now holding rump portions of Iraq and Syria. It is my understanding that the anyone wishing to legitimately hold the Caliphate must be a linear descendant of The Prophet. Is he? I have seen that rather salient fact nowhere in the various news stories on the brand new state. Oh, and of course the figleaf. What rules, what 15mm figures, etc. |
John the OFM | 06 Aug 2014 11:14 a.m. PST |
Not trying to wind up any long winded banned heated political discussions. I just want my question answered. |
nickinsomerset | 06 Aug 2014 11:20 a.m. PST |
Or the Great Pixie King of Nid?!! Tally Ho! |
skippy0001 | 06 Aug 2014 11:32 a.m. PST |
You would think the Mormons would keep track of this. I mean..they both start with M.. |
GarrisonMiniatures | 06 Aug 2014 11:46 a.m. PST |
I've seen it quoted that a quarter of the world's population are descended from Genghis Khan, so I'm sure that the prophet has a few by now. Suppose an average of 2 per generation, say 3 generations per century, that's 8 after 1 century, after about 14 centuries and allowing for related descendents having progeny, say a factor of 40 every 100 years… Well. that's a lot of descendents and most of them will be living somewhere in the Arabic world! |
Milites | 06 Aug 2014 12:16 p.m. PST |
More importantly, who is the direct descendent of John III Sobieski? For rules try out, I Ain't been forcibly converted mum. |
John the OFM | 06 Aug 2014 12:24 p.m. PST |
I worked with a lady at KMart who claimed she was. |
venezia sta affondando | 06 Aug 2014 1:19 p.m. PST |
"Is the head of the Islamic State descended from The Prophet?" No, he's a very naughty boy! |
Mobius | 06 Aug 2014 1:47 p.m. PST |
"None of Muhammad's sons survived into adulthood, therefore direct hereditary succession was never an option" |
Milites | 06 Aug 2014 2:30 p.m. PST |
Which is why there is the continuing conflict between Sunni Arabs and the proto-Islamic Shia's. |
Rabelais | 06 Aug 2014 3:23 p.m. PST |
There's no requirement for a legitimate Caliph to be a linear descendant of Mohammed. |
Mako11 | 06 Aug 2014 3:48 p.m. PST |
Hmmm, not sure. Perhaps we should invite him to provide a DNA sample for us. |
Milites | 06 Aug 2014 4:03 p.m. PST |
Yes, Islam is very flexible when it needs to be. The age of the Caliphs was seen by many Moslems as the beginning of Islam's decline, simply because they, the Caliphs, were not direct descendants of the Prophet. Mako, how damaged does the sample have to be to make DNA testing unreliable? |
Weasel | 06 Aug 2014 4:12 p.m. PST |
From wikipedia: "The Sunni branch of Islam stipulates that as a head of state, a caliph should be elected by Muslims or their representatives.[2] Followers of Shia Islam, however, believe a caliph should be an Imam chosen by God (Allah) from the Ahl al-Bayt (the "Family of the House", Muhammad's direct descendents)." In the end, people in power usually come up with explanations for why they should be in power. From what I understand, ISIS had Sunni roots, so it seems they do get to call themselves a caliphat.
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Zargon | 06 Aug 2014 4:34 p.m. PST |
As for figures I think the TAG range is good with a few decent packs from GB in their M O F O range. Rules I think Force on Force takes it up but how do you play two asymmetric reactive forces I'd give all combatants wildly swinging moral (which would make for interesting outcomes but give them combat skills even abilities. Cheers |
Cacique Caribe | 06 Aug 2014 9:24 p.m. PST |
Isn't actor Alexander Siddig (DS9's Doctor Bashir) descended from The Prophet, via the Mahdi of Sudan (1880s)?
Dan PS. The first Successor (Khalifa) was Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law. So Khalifas don't need to be of direct lineage. link |
Legion 4 | 07 Aug 2014 8:55 a.m. PST |
OOPs !! I guess I should not be too surprised that some comments would end up being deleted … It is a very polarizing topic … just ask any Sunni and/or Shia … |
Lion in the Stars | 07 Aug 2014 9:49 a.m. PST |
Peter Pig makes an excellent range of 15mm types, and Khurasan makes SEAL Team 6 minis. |
Legion 4 | 08 Aug 2014 7:36 a.m. PST |
To throw more leaves, for those wanting to game this conflict. I've seen ISIS using a lot of HUMMVs, various civilain pick-up trucks with MGs and light cannons mounted in the beds. Much like we saw in Somalia and Afghanistan. I saw video on CNN with a former US M1117 Guardian ASV, Russian T62 and SAU 122 being used by ISIS. Plus on CNN, a reporter there just said, they were also using captured US M1s … Of course one of my first thoughts was how long they could maintain those US vehicles ? Of course it appears the Shia Iraqis left a lot of equipment behind. So that may not be a problem for ISIS. |