Political Thought in the Mamluk Period

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).

This is a rewarding read certain to appeal to both generalists and specialists.

• IntroductionWhat is Islamic political thought?SourcesReading Ayyubid and Mamluk political thoughtThemes, concerns and idealsChapters outline1. Reading Islamic political thoughtThe longue duréeImposed paradigms i) Theory of the caliphate ii) The fall of BaghdadThe mythology of genreAvailability of textsContextualising political thoughtIntellectual, social and cultural contextPolitical languages, conventions and discourses2. Ibn Jamaʿa’s synthesis and praxis of Shafiʿi political thoughtIbn Jamaʿa: a biography The Political Thought of Ibn JamaʿaBeginnings: the MustanadCrystallisation: the MukhtasarSynthesis: the TahrirThe praxis of Ibn Jamaʿa’s political thoughtConclusion3. Sufi political thoughtThe Sufis and the production of political thoughtSufism and politicsMisbah al-hidaya: Sufi political thoughtCoercive authority by right of necessityEthics, mysticism and the rule of law i) Ethics and practical philosophy ii) Restraint of the ruler’s powerThe Sufi theory of delegationThe primacy of Sufi counselConclusion4. The late Ayyubid and early Mamluk context: Ibn Talha and al-QarafiIbn Talha: taming sultanic powerIbn Talha: life and workThe blending of genresModeration of power by ethicsCoercive power: legitimacy, necessity and justiceAdministration, delegation and the shariʿaA genealogical missing link?Al-Qarafi: the granularisation of the Prophet’s authorities5. Mamluk historiography as a form of political thoughtAl-Subki’s biography of Ibn ʿAbd al-SalamThe politics of al-Subki’s historiographyA Shafiʿi Lieu de M é moire?Politics and madhhabsConventions preservedThe contours of Shafiʿi political thought i) De-legitimation of sultan al-Salih Ismaʿil ii) Moderating rulers: the reign of al-Salih Ayyub iii) Caliph, sultan, amirs and ʿulamaʾ iv) Defending the populace v) Baybars: Legitimation and tensionShafiʿi political thought in a later Subki workConclusionBibliographyPrimary sourcesSecondary sources