This book provides an in-depth study of the history of Oman from the advent of Islam until the fall of the second Ibadi Imamate in AH 280. In pulling together scattered fragments of historical material, Dr Al-Rawas gives a vivid account of Oman's position in the early Islamic community during a hitherto under-examined period of its history. After exploring the teachings of Ibadism the author examines in detail the establishment and subsequent collapse of the two Ibadi imamates in Oman against a background of conflicting tribal loyalties and the opposition of the Islamic caliphate. During this time, Dr Al-Rawas maintains, Oman underwent a number of far-reaching changes which totally transformed the socio-political face of the country, securing its position as an independent entity with its own distinctive brand of Islam -- a position it has held until the present day.

Isam Al-Rawas is Assistant Professor at the College of Arts, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat.