Some Reasons for the Currency Reform of A.H. 77/696-7 A.D.: The Figure on the Obverse, ‘the Caliph, the Prophet, or an Image of an Idol of Solid Hammer-Beaten Metal?’

Year 2014, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 89 - 112, 30.12.2014

Terrance Michael Patrick Duggan

Abstract

This article suggests there were quite specific reasons for the change in A.H. 77/696-7 to a reformed dīnār, the change from a figural to an epigraphic Islamic currency even though this reformed currency carrying only script was itself bida. It is suggested that this reform was associated with the arrival in Damascus in 696-7 A.D. of the third envoy from Emperor Justinian II demanding the return of the Christian Trinitarian tiraz to the coinage and to other official items, with the associated threat that if this was not done an imprecation on the Prophet would be struck on the widely circulated East Roman currency. It is suggested the depiction of the ‘Standing Caliph’ struck on the obverse of ‘Abd al-Malik’s dīnārs from 74 to 77 A.H. was misunderstood by some Christians as carrying a depiction of the Prophet, or of an idol of the Almighty, an idol thought have been to be worshipped by Muslims, rather than being a depiction of the Caliph. To prevent any further confusion concerning the relationship between legend and image on the obverse of the dīnār, the image was dispensed with, resulting in the epigraphic type of dīnār.

Keywords

Currency reform, standing Caliph, ‘Abd al-Malik, image, icon, idol

Hicri Takvim’e göre M.S 77/696-7’deki Para Birimi Reformuna İlişkin Bazı Sebepler: Ön Yüzdeki Figür, ‘Halife, Peygamber, veya Çekiçle Dövülmüş Katı Bir Metal Üzerindeki Figürün Görüntüsü’

Abstract

Bu makale, Hicri Takvim’e göre 77 (696/7) yılında reforme edilmiş dinara, yani şekilsel olandan epigrafik İslami para birimine geçmenin, her ne kadar reforme edilen bu para birimi sadece bida yazısı taşıyor olsa da, oldukça özel sebepleri olduğunu önermektedir. Bu reformun, imparator II. Iustinianus’un Hıristiyan teslis prensibine ait olan “tirazın” sikkelere ve diğer resmi eşyalara geri dönmesini talep eden ve bu yapılmadığı takdirde peygambere yapılacak bir lanetlemenin oldukça geniş bir alanda dolaşımda olan Doğu Roma parasına basılmasıyla tehditte bulunan üçüncü elçisinin M.S 696-7 de Şam’a varışıyla ilişkili olduğu önerilmektedir. Hicri takvime göre 74 ve 77 yılları arasında Abdal Malik’in dinarlarının ön yüzünde basılan “Ayakta Duran Halife” betimlemesinin bazı Hıristiyanlar tarafından Peygamberin ya da “her şeye gücü yeten (Allah’ın)” Müslümanlar tarafından tapınılan bir putun betimi olduğu şeklinde yanlış anlaşıldığı ve yorumlandığı önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Para birimi reformu, ayakta duran Halife, ‘Abd al-Malik’, görüntü, ikon, figür

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