Objectives:

Books That
he Revealed
Biography of his
Introduction the scholar economic
Thoughts
Abstract
 Abtract

Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi was not just a great jurist of his time.
Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi was not just a great jurist of his time.
He was also a great political theorist whose work resonated in the medieval
He was also a great political theorist whose work resonated in the medieval
Islamic period and beyond. The juristic theory of a state in Islam which al-
Islamic period and beyond. The juristic theory of a state in Islam which al-
Mawardi postulated in his opus, Ahkamal-Sultaniyya wal-Wilayat ad-Diniyya –
Mawardi postulated in his opus, Ahkamal-Sultaniyya wal-Wilayat ad-Diniyya –
The Ordinance of Government, outlines the necessity of the state, the methods of
The Ordinance of Government, outlines the necessity of the state, the methods of
selecting its ruler, and his duties and obligations. It also specifies the persons
selecting its ruler, and his duties and obligations. It also specifies the persons
qualified to assist a ruler as viziers and governors. It is the view of this paper
qualified to assist a ruler as viziers and governors. It is the view of this paper
that al-Mawardi formulated this theory in order to recreate in the political
that al-Mawardi formulated this theory in order to recreate in the political
practices of the ummah, art of governance, the process of selecting rulers as well
practices of the ummah, art of governance, the process of selecting rulers as well
as their responsibilities, an ideal state based on the teachings of the Qur’an and
as their responsibilities, an ideal state based on the teachings of the Qur’an and
the Prophet as well as the examples of the Rashidun Caliphs. In pursuing this
the Prophet as well as the examples of the Rashidun Caliphs. In pursuing this
objective, the paper argues that al-Mawardi, more than anything else, was
objective, the paper argues that al-Mawardi, more than anything else, was
concerned with social justice, equity, and welfare of humanity on the basis of the
concerned with social justice, equity, and welfare of humanity on the basis of the
unity and cohesion of the ummah
unity and cohesion of the ummah
 Introduction
This place examines the conception of the state and obligations of a ruler in the
This place examines the conception of the state and obligations of a ruler in the
political thought of Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi (AH 364-450/974-
political thought of Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi (AH 364-450/974-
1058CE), one of the earliest and widely respected Muslim jurists in the world. The
1058CE), one of the earliest and widely respected Muslim jurists in the world. The
nature of the state and its essence, and the process of selecting rulers and their
nature of the state and its essence, and the process of selecting rulers and their
obligations are fundamental questions in Islamic political thought. Scholars – the
obligations are fundamental questions in Islamic political thought. Scholars – the
jurists and the philosophers alike – have written copiously regarding these questions.
jurists and the philosophers alike – have written copiously regarding these questions.
As one of the most famous jurists to have focused on these fundamental questions,
As one of the most famous jurists to have focused on these fundamental questions,
the concern of al-Mawardi, apparently, was to recreate the ideal state in Islam as
the concern of al-Mawardi, apparently, was to recreate the ideal state in Islam as
exemplified by the state of Medina under Prophet Muhammad and his four immediate
exemplified by the state of Medina under Prophet Muhammad and his four immediate
successors, the Rashidun Caliphs – Abubakar, Umar, Usman, and Ali – between 632
successors, the Rashidun Caliphs – Abubakar, Umar, Usman, and Ali – between 632
and 661CE. The justification for this concern appears in the various principles and
and 661CE. The justification for this concern appears in the various principles and
precepts from Qur’an and Sunnah for the existence of the state as well as the
precepts from Qur’an and Sunnah for the existence of the state as well as the
elaborate procedures for electing a ruler or caliph and his obligations.
elaborate procedures for electing a ruler or caliph and his obligations.
 CON1T…`
`
In other words, humans and its potential as a form of the gift of God, then
In other words, humans and its potential as a form of the gift of God, then
he is required to try to achieve the good life in this world without forgetting the
he is required to try to achieve the good life in this world without forgetting the
slightest necessities of life for the hereafter, so that people always consistent on a
slightest necessities of life for the hereafter, so that people always consistent on a
straight path to meet their needs (al-Mawardi, 1995: 93; al-Mawardi, 2006: III:
straight path to meet their needs (al-Mawardi, 1995: 93; al-Mawardi, 2006: III:
221-222). Nonetheless, required government institutions to provide facilities and
221-222). Nonetheless, required government institutions to provide facilities and
organize human life in achieving well-being.
organize human life in achieving well-being.
Because of this, the state plays an important role in the prosperity of
Because of this, the state plays an important role in the prosperity of
society (the wealth of nations). As an institution, the state (imamat, caliphate), not
society (the wealth of nations). As an institution, the state (imamat, caliphate), not
only the replacement and successor prophetic function, but also keep the
only the replacement and successor prophetic function, but also keep the
implementation of the teachings of religion, political control, making policy based
implementation of the teachings of religion, political control, making policy based
on the Shari'ah, and unite under a single leadership. The state is responsible for
on the Shari'ah, and unite under a single leadership. The state is responsible for
ensure the welfare of the community through the management of the sources of
ensure the welfare of the community through the management of the sources of
income that is distributed to the public interest.
income that is distributed to the public interest.
 Biography of
the scholar
Abū al-Hasan 'Alī Ibn Muḥammad Ibn Habīb al-Māwardī (‫أبو لاـحسنعلي‬
Abū al-Hasan 'Alī Ibn Muḥammad Ibn Habīb al-Māwardī (‫أبو لاـحسنعلي‬
‫اـصـري لاـماوردي‬‫بــ حـبيب لب‬
‫نمحمد ن‬‫) بــ‬, known in Latin as Alboacen (972–1058
‫اـصـري لاـماوردي‬
‫بــ حـبيب لب‬ ‫) ن‬, known in Latin as Alboacen (972–1058
‫بــ مـحمد ن‬
CE), was an Islamic jurist of the Shafi'i school most remembered
CE), was an Islamic jurist of the Shafi'i school most remembered
for his works on religion, government, the caliphate, and public
for his works on religion, government, the caliphate, and public
and constitutional law during a time of political turmoil. Appointed
and constitutional law during a time of political turmoil. Appointed
as the chief judge over several districts near Nishapur in Iran, and 
as the chief judge over several districts near Nishapur in Iran, and 
Baghdad itself, al-Mawardi also served as a diplomat for the 
Baghdad itself, al-Mawardi also served as a diplomat for the 
Abbasid caliphs al-Qa'im and al-Qadir in negotiations with the 
Abbasid caliphs al-Qa'im and al-Qadir in negotiations with the 
Buyid emirs. He is best known for his treatise on "The Ordinances
Buyid emirs. He is best known for his treatise on "The Ordinances
of Government." The Ordinances, Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya w'al-
of Government." The Ordinances, Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya w'al-
Wilayat al-Diniyya, provide a detailed definition of the functions of
Wilayat al-Diniyya, provide a detailed definition of the functions of
caliphate government which, under the Buyids, appeared to be
caliphate government which, under the Buyids, appeared to be
rather indefinite and ambiguous
rather indefinite and ambiguous
 CONT…
l-Mawardi was born in Basrah during the year 972 C.E. Some authors make the claim
l-Mawardi was born in Basrah during the year 972 C.E. Some authors make the claim
that his family was Kurdish, [1]
 a claim which is unsubstantiated. [2]
that his family was Kurdish,[1] a claim which is unsubstantiated.[2]
The Shafi'i historian al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d. 463/1072) recorded his father as being a
The Shafi'i historian al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d. 463/1072) recorded his father as being a
rose-water seller. Growing up he was able to learn Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) from
rose-water seller. Growing up he was able to learn Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) from
Abu al-Wahid al-Simari and subsequently took up his residence in Baghdad. While
Abu al-Wahid al-Simari and subsequently took up his residence in Baghdad. While
both Basrah and Baghdad were centers of the Mu'tazila school of thought, the great
both Basrah and Baghdad were centers of the Mu'tazila school of thought, the great
(orthodox) Shafi'i jurist al-Subki (d. 756/1355) would later condemn al-Mawardi for his
(orthodox) Shafi'i jurist al-Subki (d. 756/1355) would later condemn al-Mawardi for his
Mu'tazila sympathies. He was eventually appointed chief qadi of Baghdad, and
Mu'tazila sympathies. He was eventually appointed chief qadi of Baghdad, and
subsequently was entrusted with various responsibilities on behalf of the Caliphate:
subsequently was entrusted with various responsibilities on behalf of the Caliphate:
On four occasions he served as a diplomat on behalf of Caliph al-Qa'im (422-1031,
On four occasions he served as a diplomat on behalf of Caliph al-Qa'im (422-1031,
428/1037, 434/1042 and 435/1043), his successor al-Qadir also entrusted al-Mawardi as
428/1037, 434/1042 and 435/1043), his successor al-Qadir also entrusted al-Mawardi as
a diplomat in a negotiation with the Buyid emirs and charged him with the task of
a diplomat in a negotiation with the Buyid emirs and charged him with the task of
writing his treatise on "The Ordinances of the Government." Among many of his
writing his treatise on "The Ordinances of the Government." Among many of his
various other works he is also credited with the creation of darura, a doctrine of
various other works he is also credited with the creation of darura, a doctrine of
necessity. Al-Mawardi died at an old age in Baghdad on 30 Rabi'a 450/27, May 1058[3].[3]
necessity. Al-Mawardi died at an old age in Baghdad on 30 Rabi'a 450/27, May 1058.
 Books That he Revealed
Books That he Revealed
his economic Thoughts
his economic Thoughts
 Nevertheless, considering al-Māwardī vast contribution as discussed, his
Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, considering
considering al-Māwardī
al-Māwardī vast
vast contribution
contribution as discussed,
asasdiscussed, his his
Nevertheless, considering al-Māwardī vast contribution
economic idea needs to be further explored and thoroughly investigated. This discussed, his
economic
economic idea
idea needs needs to be
totobe further
further explored
explored and and thoroughly
thoroughly investigated.
investigated. This
This
economic idea needs be further explored and thoroughly
shall further enrich and enhance the development of Islamic economics. investigated. This
shall
shall further
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enhance the the development
development of Islamic
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economics.
shall further enrich and enhance the development Islamic
Therefore, this study aims to explore and investigate the economic idea of al – economics.
Therefore,
Therefore, thisthis
study studyaimsaims to explore
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Māwardī and its contribution to Islamic economic t hought with special al –
this study aims explore and investigate the economic idea
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reference
reference
reference
to his book Adab al-dunyā wa-al-Dīn. Hence, the current study is library-based
to his
totohis book
book Adab
Adab al-dunyā
al-dunyā wa-al-Dīn.
wa-al-Dīn. Hence,
Hence, thethe current
current studystudy is library-based
isislibrary-based
research13; consequently, it is based on qualitative method, whichlibrary-based
his book Adab al-dunyā wa-al-Dīn. Hence, the current study relies on
research13;
research13; consequently,
consequently, it it based
is is based on on qualitative
qualitative method,
method, which
which relies
relies on on
research13;
textual consequently, it is based on qualitative method, which relies on
textual
textual
textual
historical analysis
historical analysis
historical
historicalanalysis
analysis