Sultan of Zaclaria

The Sultan of Zaclaria (or Sultana during the reign of a female) is the and   and  of Zaclaria. Zaclaria's constitution grants the Sultana extensive powers; they are both the secular political leader and the "Commander of the Faithful" as a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.

While the term "sultan" has been used for various rulers of Zaclaria since as far back as the 6th century, the modern political term did not arise until the mid-19th century when the Al-Fassara Dynasty rose to power. The first modern Sultan of Zaclaria was Tehminevra Al-Fassara in 1857. Since then, his descendants have ruled over Zaclaria; Arabella IX is the current Sultana.

As head of state, the Sultana presides over the Council of Ministers - the executive branch of the government and appoints an elected Prime Minister who serves as the head of government. While the constitution theoretically allows the Sultana to terminate the tenure of any minister - and after consultation with the head of the National Council, dissolve the Parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree, this has rarely occurred throughout modern history. The Sultana and their immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. As the monarchy is constitutional, the monarch is limited to functions such as bestowing honors. The monarch is also the ceremonial head of the Royal Defense Forces of Zaclaria. The Government of Zaclaria is often referred to as the Sultanate of Zaclaria.

Titles
The Sultan holds a number of titles collected over several centuries, many conferring powers unique to the office. They are not necessarily held by every Sultan, having distinct ceremonies or criteria.


 * Amir al-Mu'minin (امیرالمؤمنین), translated as "Commander of the Faithful", is used to designate the Sultan as the supreme leader of the Islamic community of Zaclaria;
 * Hadrah (هادره), is an honorific title used to address the Sultan in informal settings;
 * Al-hurra (رایگان) is an honorific title used by female rulers;
 * Malik(a) (ملیکا) is a title with an equivalent meaning to "king" or "queen";
 * al-Dawla (کشور) is a title used in reference to a particular dynasty;
 * Kashmiri Khwaja (خواجه کشمیری) is an honorific title meaning "lord" or "master";
 * Sharif or sharīfa (شریفه) is a term used to designate a person descended, or claiming to be descended, from the family of the prophet Muhammad ;
 * His/Her Sultanic Highness (اعلیحضرت سلطانی) is the formal style used by the Sultan/a;
 * Otin (اوتین) is a title referring to a guardian of the Islamic faith;
 * Rais (رای) is a title meaning meaning 'chief' or 'leader';
 * Hujjat al-Islam (حجت الاسلام) is an honorific title meaning "authority on Islam" or "proof of Islam"

Powers and duties
The majority of the Sultan's powers are set forth in Article II of the Constitution, which give them extensive powers across the government and society of Zaclaria.

Religious role
As Imam - or the leader of Islam in Zaclaria, the Sultana follows a modified version of called the Shazitnâmeh doctrine, which defines the political, religious and spiritual dimensions of authority concerning Islamic leadership. Like Nizari Isma'ili, Shazitnâmeh follows a genealogy of male Imams originating from the prophethood of Muhammad by means of wedlock of his daughter Fatimah with his cousin Ali and in succession, through their son Hussein and his onward descendants up to the present day. However, Shazitnâmeh differs in that the line of succession deviates in 633, when the Muslim apostate Musaylimah established a caliphate in Zaclaria. The lineage then continued through Musaylimah to other male Imams until the rise of prophetess Soraya Al-Fassara ibn Hedayati during the Battle of Apostate Zaclaria, where the lineage became ambilineal. The Imam was charged with serving the community of his era; the people paid the zakat (tithe) dues to the Imam due to his being as ex-officio and the designated Nizari Imam. The Imam in return, imparts them the religious and spiritual guidance and also strives for their physical well-being to the best of their ability. With respect to their spiritual nature, the Sultan as Imam is considered living manifestations of the divine word as well as intermediaries between God and the Ummah.