Abu al-Hasan Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Habib al-Mawardi was born at Basrah in 972 C.E. He
was educated at first in Basrah where, after completion of his basic education, he learned
Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) from the jurist Abu al-Wahid al-Simari. He then went
to Baghdad for advanced studies under Sheikh Abd al-Hamid and Abdallah al-Baqi. His
proficiency in jurisprudence Ethics, Political science and literature proved useful in
securing a respectable career for him.
After his initial appointment as Qadi (Judge), he
was gradually promoted to higher offices, till he became the Chief Justice at Baghdad. The
Abbasid Caliph al-Qaim bi Amr Allah appointed him as his roving ambassador and sent him to
a number of countries as the head of special missions. In this capacity he played a key
role in establishing harmonious relations between the declining Abbasid Caliphate and the
rising powers of Buwahids and Seljukes.
He was favoured with rich gifts and tributes by
most Sultans of the time. He was still in Baghdad when it was taken over by Buwahids.
Al-Mawardi died in 1058 C.E.
Al-Mawardi was a great jurist, mohaddith, sociologist and an expert in Political
Science. He was a jurist in the school of Fiqh and his book 'Al-Hawi' on the
principles of jurisprudence is held in high repute.
His contribution in political science and sociology comprises a number of monumental
books, the most famous of which are 'Kitab al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyah' [an extract of this book is available here], 'Qanun al-Wazarah',
and 'Kitab Nasihat al-Mulk'.
The books discuss the principles of political science,
with special reference to the functions and duties of the caliphs, the chief minister,
other ministers, relationships between various elements of public and govemment and
measures to strengthen the government and ensure victory in war.
Two of these books, 'al-Ahkam
al-Sultaniyah' and 'Qanun al-Wazarah' have been published and also translated into
various languages.
He is considered as being the author/supporter of the 'Doctrine of
Necessity' in political science. He was thus in favour of a strong caliphate and
discouraged unlimited powers delegated to the Governors, which tended to create chaos. On
the other hand, he has laid down clear principles for election of the caliph and qualities
of the voters, chief among which are attainment of a degree of intellectual level and
purity of character.
In ethics, he wrote 'Kitab Aadab al-Dunya wa al-Din', which became a widely
popular book on the subject and is still read in some Islamic countries.
Al-Mawardi has been considered as one of the most famous thinkers in political science
in the middle ages. His original work influenced the development of this science, together
with the science of sociology, which was further developed later on by Ibn Khaldun.