OMAN’S FOREIGN POLICY DURING THE YA’ARUBA DYNASTY THROUGH THE BOOK MANHAJ AL-TALIBIN WA BALAGH AL-RAGHIBIN BY SHEIKH KHAMIS BIN SAEED AL-SHAQSI

Abstract

Oman possesses a profound legacy of Islamic scholarship, distinguished by encyclopaedic works that delve into diverse aspects of Islamic law, governance, and the humanities. These writings frequently document political and civilizational relations through the correspondence of imams, scholars, governors, and rulers, as well as through the issuance of legal fatwas. Among the most prominent legal encyclopaedias produced in Oman during the early Ya‘aruba period is Manhaj al-Ṭālibīn wa Balāgh al-Rāghibīn, authored by the distinguished scholar Sheikh Khamis bin Saeed al-Shaqsi. Despite the numerous references within these encyclopaedic works to political relations and civilizational exchanges between Oman and various regional and international powers, these dimensions have received limited scholarly attention. This study seeks to uncover and analyze these overlooked aspects, emphasizing their contemporary and future relevance in understanding Oman’s historical position as a significant regional power during the Ya‘aruba era. Accordingly, the research is guided by the following objectives. Firstly, to identify the political role of Sheikh Khamis bin Saeed al-Shaqsi, the author of Manhaj al-Ṭālibīn wa Balāgh al-Rāghibīn. Secondly, to analyze the major events and dynamics of Oman’s foreign relations during the early Ya‘aruba period as reflected in the encyclopaedia. Methodologically, this study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, examining the content of the encyclopaedia with particular attention to its political dimensions. The research is structured into two main chapters. The first introduces the author and his legal encyclopaedia, while the subsequent chapters explore Oman’s foreign relations during the reigns of Imam Nasser bin Murshid and Imam Sultan bin Saif respectively.