Political Thought in the Mamluk Period - (Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture) by Mohamad El-Merheb

About the Book

Covers the political thought produced by legal theorists, jurists, judges and administrators of the late Ayyubid and early Mamluk period as they tackled a central question: how best to govern their communities.

Book Synopsis

Political Thought in the Mamluk Period covers the political thought produced by legal theorists, jurists, judges and administrators of the late Ayyubid and early Mamluk period as they tackled a central question: how best to govern their communities. It proposes a taxonomy of the main themes and concerns of this political thought under the three ideals of the rule of law, limited government and legitimate delegation of power. Further, it recommends a contextualist approach for interpreting Islamic political texts based on their narrow social, intellectual and political contexts.

From the Back Cover

A new history of medieval Islamic political thought, focusing on the rule of law, limited government and the theory of delegation Political Thought in the Mamluk Period covers the political thought produced by legal theorists, jurists, judges and administrators of the late Ayyubid and early Mamluk period as they tackled a central question: how best to govern their communities. It proposes a taxonomy of the main themes and concerns of this political thought under the three ideals of the rule of law, limited government and legitimate delegation of power. Further, it recommends a contextualist approach for interpreting Islamic political texts based on their narrow social, intellectual and political contexts. Examining treatises by 5 carefully selected authors who flourished in the Syro-Egyptian lands in the period between c.1250 and c.1350, the book also deals with important questions of authorship, readership and dedicatees, authorial motives and intentions, genres and literary styles, sources and influences, and applicability. Key Features  Studies Ayyubid and Mamluk political thought beyond the prevalent focus on Ibn Taymiyya  Offers a novel classification of the themes and concerns of medieval Islamic political thought  Provides a comprehensive study of Ibn Jamaʿa's well-known works and other previously unstudied treatises  Presents a novel interpretation of a distinctive Sufi political thought and uncovers its interrelatedness with Ashʿari-Sufism and Shafiʿism  Includes 5 case studies based on treatises authored by legal theorists, jurists, judges and administrators Mohamad El-Merheb is Assistant Professor of Medieval History at the University of Groningen. He is editor of Professional Mobility in Islamic Societies (700-1750): New Concepts and Approaches (2021).

Review Quotes

It is often assumed that the late Ayyubid and early Mamluk saw an unquestioning acceptance of military rule and the absolute authority of the sultan. In this well-argued and provocative book, the author shows that there was a lively and intelligent debate among the ulama about the legitimate and illegitimate use of power. El-Merheb's work is an important contribution to the history of Islamic political thought.--Professor Hugh Kennedy, SOAS, University of London

This is a rewarding read certain to appeal to both generalists and specialists.--R. A. Miller "CHOICE"

About the Author

Mohamad El Merheb is Assistant Professor of Medieval History at the University of Groningen. He is a historian of Islamic political thought and studies the ideal of 'the rule of law' as expressed in advice literature under the Mamluks, Ayyubids, and Seljuqs. Mohamad's other research interests include the crusades, the depiction of kings Louis IX and Frederic II in Islamic historiography, and professional mobility in pre-modern Islam. His recent projects include a collected volume entitled Professional Mobility in Islamic Societies (700-1750), New Concepts and Approaches (Brill, 2021).