al-Mawardi: Political Thought

Al-Mawardi, Islamic State and leadership

Written by: Ahmad Muzaqqi (114211062)

Background

Toughs in Islam –as long as Islamic civilization- were so many. Beside caused by Islamic expansion, it also caused by be longer time distance between thinker and the prophet, Muhammad. We need something new to fight with zaman-time, now. An of Islamic thinker is al-Mawardi. And this paper will discuss about him.

Biography

Al-Mawardi (known in Latin as Alboacen[1]), Abu Hasan Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Habib al-Bashri al-Mawardi, was born in Basra in 364/974 and died in Baghdad on 30 Rabi’ I 450/ 27 May 1058, aged 86 years.[2]

After completing his studies in Basra and in Bagdad, he became a teacher. The renown which he acquired, owing to the extent and the variety of his knowledge, drew to him the attention on the authorities. He was appointed kadhi and fulfilled the responsibilities of this post in various towns, in particular at Ustuwa, near Nishapur, before being entrusted with the role in Baghdad itself. In 429/1038, he was awarded the honorific surname (laqab) of akda’l-kudhat or supreme kadhi in spite of the opinions of eminent jurist, including al-Tabari, who denied the legality of this title. In addition, he was on four occasions chosen by the caliph al-Kaim (422-467/1031-1074, Abbasid era) to perform diplomatic missions in 422/1031, 428/1037, 434/1042-1043 and 435/1043-1044. Anecdotes confirm that his rank and his vast learning did not in any way detract from his modesty and that he was an enthusiastic and eloquent speaker. He was furthermore highly regarded by the preceding caliph al-Kadir (381-422/991-1031), who employed him not only in the conduct of his negotiations with the Buyids who were then the rulers of Irak (al-Mawardi was thus the contemporary of two caliphs known for their pro-Sunni policy), but also for the purpose of restoring Sunnism, this accounting for the composition of manuals propounding the doctrines of each of the four orthodox schools.

Shafii al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d.463/1072) in Tarikh Baghdad, it is known that Mawardi’s father was manufacturer and seller of rose-water and that our fakih was buried in Baghdad. Ibnu Katsir (d.774/1373) in al-Bidaya wal-nihayaal-Bidaya wal-nihaya says of him that he was gentle, dignified and polite, qualities which had been attributed to him. Al-Dhahabi (d.597/1348) in the Mizan al-i’tidal fi nakd alridjal and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalany (d.852/1449) in the Lisan al-Mizan give examples of the perfect rectitude of al-Mawardi even when confronted by the powerful.

As regards the works of al-Mawardi, the classification followed is that of Mustafa al-Sakka, in the introduction to the Adab al-dunya wa al-din.

1.       Religious works: Tafsir al-Quran, also known as al-Nukat waI-‘uyun; Kitab al-Hawi al-Kabir fil-furu’, on the legal system of al-Safii, Kitab al-Ikna, Kitab A’lam al-nubuwwa, Kitab Adab al-dunya wa al-din.

2.       Works of a political and social nature: Kitab al-Ahkam al-sulthaniyah, this is the work which made al-Mawardi known in the West, and it is considered a classic work of public law, Kitab Kawanin al-wizara wa   siyasat al-mulk, on the adab of the vizier, Kitab Tashil al-nazar wa ta’dil al-zafar, on politics and different forms of government.

3.       Studies of language and of adab: Kitab fil-nahw, on grammar, Kitab al-Amthal wal-hikam, collection of 300 traditions, 300 proverbs and 300 verses, Kitab Adab al-takallum, Kitab Adab al-Kadhi, which in fact represents two of the thirty sections of the Hawi, Kitab Ma’rifat al-fadhail.

Thoughts

Obligation to choose a leader

The people of the Imamate preconditions considered including seven. First, He has Justice at the all requirements. Second, he has science to lead to diligence in times of calamity and Conditions. Third, he has the safety and health of the senses of hearing, sight and tongue to be with them directly aware. Fourth, the safety of members of the shortage prevents complete movement and speed of advancement. Fifth, his opinion is lead to policy the parish and management interests. Sixth, he courage and help leading up to protect the society and fight enemies. Seventh, descent is to be of Quraysh to the receipt of the text where and the consensus it, because Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him protested on penthouse on Ansar in them for succession to participate when they said our prince and you prince in recognition of his novel True to experience and content with saying we are princes and you minister, said the Prophet Muslim: have you Quraysh not present. Not with this text Muslim suspicion of conflict of which does not say to abuse him.

The imamate is being held for two reasons: one choosing the people of the contract and the solution. The second era is by last Imam.

The (number) one is like democration system, the fact took place in Successor era. The history fact said that less than held by them Imamate five gather to hold or one person held another person who consented by four persons. It is beside two things: One is that allegiance Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him held five met her then followed by other people, they are: Omar Ibn al Khattab and Abu Abeida and acid bin Hudayr Bishr ibn Saad Salem sire Abu Huzaifa, God bless them and the second that Omar may Allah be pleased with him making Shura in six to hold someone with the consent of the five, and this is the view of most scholars and speakers from the people of Basra.

Qadhi (may different madzhab)

The person who I think the view of al Allah's mercy that mimics the judiciary think the view of Abu Hanifa, because the judge has to strive opinion on spending and he does not imitate at times of calamity and provisions of Aatzy to his doctrine, if Hafiea he does not have determination in its provisions to hearsay Shafei even play diligence it, the diligence tool to take the words of Abu Hanifa work on it and take it.

Exploration and using the nature

The water extracted is divided three sections of rivers and water wells eyes As for the river is divided three sections:

·         The first conducted by God from the major rivers, like Dajlh and Euphrates.

·         The second section conducted by God of small rivers.

·         The third section of the river made by someone or a group for his/their farm. This is from the them, so the river, including a joint, so the owner is them not just applied one of them his property.

The government also have a obligation to manage the death soil/earth. Because, if it was not used, state can’t get the benefit of soil maximally.

Bibliography

en.wikipedia.org

Masrah Mawlid, The Encyclopaedia of Islam. (Leiden: EJ Brill. 1989).

Al-Mawardi, al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah. (1973)

Al-Mawardi, al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah terj Abdul Hayyie al-Khattani. (Jakarta:GIP. 2000)

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[1] en.wikipedia.org

[2] Masrah Mawlid, The Encyclopaedia of Islam. (Leiden: EJ Brill. 1989) p.869.