The institution of naqib al-ashraf in Islamic law

One of the most important functions of Islamic law is to ensure social order in accordance with justice and to meet social needs. Different social needs may arise in different times and places. In this study, the institution of nakîbu al-ashrâf, which was established to take care of the affairs of the descendants of the Prophet (pbuh), namely the ashraf, is the subject of research. The main purpose of this study, in which the basic concepts related to the institution are explained and a brief history of the institution is discussed, is to examine and evaluate the institution of nakīb al-ashrāf in terms of Islamic jurisprudence. In this study, the chapters related to the institution of nakību al-ashrāf in fiqh books and classical and contemporary studies on the institution outside the discipline of Islamic law were examined, and the data obtained were analyzed and presented with a new synthesis. The justifications of the legal rules related to the institution have been determined, and some judgments have been expressed by induction regarding the legal aspects of the institution. The study concludes that the institution of nakīb al-ashrāf was established to ensure that the notables received their rights and to take care of the affairs related to them, especially their social needs. It has been determined that the necessary regulations and provisions have been laid down in Islamic law for the proper establishment and functioning of this institution established to meet the social needs of the ashraf. In the light of the information in the study, it can be said that the relevant institution has an important role in ensuring that the relations of the notables, who have an important place in Islamic society, with the administration and the public are in a good state. Keywords: Islamic law, ashraf, nakîb, social need, institution