Political science

MUSLIM PHILOSOPHERS
Al-Farabi ( 870-950 )

 He was influenced by Plato and Aristotle, the Greek philosophers, that is why he
is called as al-muallim al thani, the second master. He was the first Muslim
philosopher complete name Muhammad Bin Muhammad Tarkhan abu- Nasr al
Farabi
 He had domains of contribution in philosophy, astronomy, logic, astrology, music,
mathematics, medicine and mysticism
Books

 Summary of law ( original work was made by Plato)

 Madina-tal-Fadila
 Collection of politics ( Jamial Siyasat)
 Ijtamal Madina
 Siyasat al-Madina
Theory of Sovereignty

 Sovereign is Rais al-Awwal

 Caliph or Imam ( Head of State )
 Rais al Awwal ( prophet )
 Rais aln Awwal must have qualities resembling to prophet.
Characteristics of Sovereign

1. Physical and mental power

2. Knowledge
3. Good memory
4. Psychologist
5. Avoiding argumentation
6. Patience
7. Justice
8. Abstaining from oppression
9. Clear and clean heartedness
10. Knowledge friendly
11. Velour
12. Wealthy
13. Maintenance of internal and external peace
Second Rai’is or Rais al-Duwwim or
Thani
 From idealism to realism
 Follower of Rais al awaal as well as Sunnah of prophet Muhammad
 Ijtihad and Jihad are compulsory
 Individual posses each quality may be selected if one person lack posses of all
qualities
Theory of division of state and kinds of
state
1. Madina ta al zaroriya
2. Madina tal Badala
3. Madina tal Khitta wal shafwat
4. Madina tak Takkalub
5. Madina tal Fazliayah
Cont.

1. Madina tal Zaroriya: As the name from Arabic language, indicates such a state
which concerns with collections of wealth and provision of luxuries. Such a state has
materialist approach only.
2. Madina tal Badala: such state which remains in quest for wealth
3. Madina tal Khitta wa Shafwat: in this kind of state following goals may be
observed
1. Sensational pleasure
2. Art and sculpture
3. Luxurious life
Cont.

4. Madina tal Taghlab:

Expansion of state is natural
Conquering other nations and statesmore powerful nation behavior
Philosophy of power
5. Madina tal Fazliayah:
powerfull occupies and becomes ruler
Dictatorship is established
Cont.

 In such a state there are five reason, according to him

1. One powerful dominates many smaller powers
2. Larger number of family members-dynasty is established
3. Leader of favoring people
4. Ruler due to same values, customs and language
5. Unity on the basis of geographical position and formation of government
Madina tal Fadizala or ideal state

 According to him, it is the standard, ideal and best kind of state

1. Standard and best
2. Justice
3. Head of state with the best qualities
4. Solution of all issues and problems
5. Rais al Awwa – all such qualities are possessed by him
Commentary:
Following facts can be established form his work
6. Good government is discussed by him
7. Bad government is also discussed by him
8. Borrowed from Platonism
9. Philosophy very important for ‘Imam’
Al farabi’s theory of social contract

 Constituents
1. Individual
2. Collectivism
a. Concept of individual
 Man is created by God
 Man is superior to all other creatures
 To faculties which distinguish man form animal
1. Speaking power or logical power
2. Confronting faculty
 Man can overcome quarreling and such other vices through logical faculty
Theory of meeting and gathering

• Man is fighter to confronting power and due to the needs, man corporates
• Such cooperation and integrity is named as gathering
 Forms and phases of gathering
1. Indefinite gathering: very few people are gathered for a cause
2. Definite or complete gathering: purposeless sort of gathering
3. Gathering as nation: Gathering at one place, of many people on population at
large
4. Individual’s gathering on earth: international kind of gathering
Classes of state and comparison

Plato Al-farabi
 Appetite ( earning class )  Knowledge and Intellect with acumen
 Spirit or courage ( Army or Military )  High moral and spirit
 Reason ( Philosopher king )  Modesty
Cont.

 Classes:
1. philosophers, literati and intellects
2. Scholars
3. Idealists, talkative, and gregarious people, and non-pragmatic people
4. Scientist
5. Army
6. Earning class like industrialists or farmers and businessmen