Al-Mawardi facts for kids

Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib (Arabic: علي إبن محمد إبن حبيب; born around 974, died 1058) was a very important Islamic scholar, lawyer, and thinker. He is commonly known as al-Mawardi.

Al-Mawardi grew up in Basra, a city in Iraq. There, he started learning about Islamic law. Later, he moved to Baghdad to continue his advanced studies. After finishing his education, al-Mawardi became the "supreme judge" (called aqda al-qudat) for the Abbasid Caliphate. He worked closely with the leaders (caliphs) of his time, al-Qadir (who ruled from 991 to 1031) and al-Qa'im (who ruled from 1031 to 1075). He tried to help bring all Muslims together by talking with the powerful Buyid and Seljuk rulers.

About Al-Mawardi

Al-Mawardi was born around 974 in Basra. At that time, Basra was part of the Buyid Emirate. He lived a long life and passed away in Baghdad on May 27, 1058.

His Important Books

Al-Mawardi wrote many books. Here are some of his most famous ones:

• Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya w'al-Wilayat al-Diniyya (This book is about how a government should be run.)
• Qanun al-Wazarah (This book talks about the rules for government ministers.)
• Kitab Nasihat al-Mulk (This book gives good advice to rulers.)
• Kitab Aadab al-Dunya w'al-Din (This book discusses good behavior in daily life and in religion.)
• Personas of the Prophethood
• al-Nukat wa’l-ʿuyūn fī tafsīr al-Qurʾān (Also known as Tafsir Al-Mawardi, this book explains parts of the Quran.)

His Ideas on Law and Government

Al-Mawardi believed that the caliph (the main leader of the Muslim community) was very important. He thought the caliphate was a complete system that guided how people lived their lives. Because of this, his book Al-Ahkam al-Sultania focused a lot on what leaders and government officials should do. It explained their skills, powers, and duties.

During Al-Mawardi's time, military leaders (like the Buyids and later the Seljuks) often held the real power. But Al-Mawardi's ideas helped explain how these military leaders could still work with the Abbasid caliphs. The military leaders recognized the Caliph as the official head of government, and in return, the Caliph recognized their power in day-to-day matters.

Al-Mawardi also wrote about land ownership. In his book Al-Ahkam al-Sultania, he explained that an Islamic government could give unclaimed land to someone who could make it useful. He based this idea on a time when Prophet Muhammad gave land to Zubayr ibn al-Awwam to use for horse training. This idea was also supported by later scholars.

See Also

In Spanish: Al-Mawardi para niños

• Islamic scholars
• Nasîhatnâme