Al-Farabi (870-950)

Biography:
Born in Farah, an Iranian town near Turkish borders. There is little information about his life but
he came to prominence at the age of 50 when moved to Baghdad. He got fame because of his
debate with scholars of different reliogions. Debated on philosophy of religions. He also got fame
because of his knowledge of Greek mythology. He also advised the Caliph. He also travelled across
the region – Turkey,Syria as far as Egypt. He was in Syria when wrote his most influential work
“Madina ul Fadilah” means “Perfect State.” He also translated Plato’s “The Laws”. Al Farabi is
given the title of “Mualim ul Sani” - Second Teacher.

Questions:
 Theory of Madina ul Fadila (Perfect State)
 Theory of Raees ul Awwal

Context:
Farabi was living at a time when Abbasids were ruling the caliphate. It was beginning of the
decline of their rule. One of the reason of decline was political uncertainity created by conflicts
used to justify the particular rule which was generally not accepted. So Farabi used the Greeks
and particularly Aristotle’s rational approach in providing qualification for the head of state.

Famous Works:
 A Summary of Plato’s Laws
 Siyasat ul Madina
 Madina tul Fadilah
 Ijtima tul Madina
 jawami us Siysast

Theory of Madina ul Fadila/ Theory of Raees ul Awwal

“In pure philosophy, Farabi became as famous as any philosopher of Islam, and it is said that a
savant of calibre of Avicenna found himself entirely incapable of understanding the true bearing of
Aristotle’s Metaphysics until one day he casually purchased one of Farabi’s work and by its help he
was able grasp their purpot” ---- Sherwani

Every Islamic state is ruled by the ruler, or as later European political scientists would call him
the Sovereign. According to Farabi, his Raees ul Awwal (ruler) should be such superior man, who,
by his very nature and upbringing, does not submit before any power or instructions of others.
He must have the potentialities to convey his sense to others for complete submission. Rosenthal
was of the view “ He is the Imam, the first ruler over the ideal city-state, over the ideal nation and
over the whole inhabitated earth”

Farabi’s Theory is divided in two parts

 Sets of Qualifications to choose Raees ul Awwal
 Classification of States / Kinds of States

Sets of Qualifications:
Al-Farabi contemplatively points out the virtuous qualities of his ideal Head of State, who should
be competent to control the actions of all in the State and must be in possession of latest intellect
as well as the gained intellect. All such refined and high qualities including his political and literal
calibre make him an Ideal Sovereign for overall interest of the society and the nation. He
enumerated 12 attributes of an Ideal Sovereign.

 He must have integrity of organs and senses.

 He must be having wisdom and rationality.
 He must be able to communicate his ideas with least possible arguments and must have
authority to get his work done.
 He must be far sighted.
 He must have visualization of all that is said.
 He must be physically sound with meticulous understanding.
 He must have good retentive memory.
 He must shun off playfulness (exploitation) and control over anger and passions.
 Raes ul Awwal must have love of truth, persuasion of justice and hatred to hypocrisy.
 He must have power to distribute justice without any effort, fearless in doing things as he
thinks best to be done.
 He must be brave ,courageous and avoid nefarious immoral activities like gambling and
drinking.
 He must serve his people of his state from all internal and external dangers. He must be in
possession of considerable wealth, so that he should not prone to greed and lust.

(2nd Option)--- Al Farabi fully realize that these fine qualities can not be found in one single
human being, so he says that one with just five or six of these qualities would make a fairly good
leader and can be chosen as “Raees ul Awwal”.

(3rd Option)--- Al Farabi says even if five or six qualities are not found in one person then a person
can be chosen as “Raees ul Awwal” if he is brought up by a man who has 12 qualities.

(4th Option)---- A shoora could be established comprising of 2-5 people having aggregate of 12
qualities. Shoora can choose one of its own member as “Raees ul Awwal”

Classification of States / Kinds of States

Al Farabi describes the varieties of the states other than the Ideal State. He divides states into six
categories.
 State of necessity / Daruriya
Its inhabitants aim at the necessities of the life like food ,drink,clothing, a place to live in . They
genrally help each other in securing necessities of life. Survival is the ultimate desire.
 Vile State / Nadhala
Its citizen strive for wealth and riches for their own sake.
 Base and Despicable State
Its citizen concentrate on the pleasures of the senses,games and other pasttimes. They are
pleasure seeking people.
 Timocracy / Madina Karama
It contains a variety of honours. A state in which people desire honour. They want to be
remembered in history as legends and heroes.
 Tyranny / Taghallub
A state in which people desire power . They want to influence others . In order to control and
dominate they wage wars and make alliances with other states.
  Democracy / Madina Jama’iya
A state in which its citizen desire freedom. They want to be free, resist control and willing to
sacrifice anything for their liberty.