The Theory of the Imamate for Al-Mawardi in his Book Al-Ahkam Al-Sultaniyyah Wa Al-Wilaayaat Al-Diiniyah

Abstract

The main goal of this research is to portray a clear picture about the theory of Imamate from the point view of Abu al-Hassan al-Mawardi, based precisely on his book Sultanate Rulings and Religious Mandates given the importance of the jurisprudential and intellectual treatment presented by Al-Mawardi in his book on the issue of the Imamate. This book was considered a foundational contribution to the field of Sunni political thought, and it also formed a line and a trend that deepened and became entrenched over time, through successive generations of jurists and thinkers. Al-Mawardi's contribution is a Sunni epistemological theory of the Imamate, and it also represents a model for intellectual realism, which aims to derive syncretistic intellectual-doctrinal treatments that harmonize the idea with real practice, and respond to the challenges of reality rather than drowning in theoretical ideals. This research is concerned with the definition of Al-Mawardi, his era and environment, his political roles, his intellectual output, and it highlights his book Sultanate Rulings and Religious Mandates. The study is also concerned with studying and analyzing the views of Al-Mawardi on the importance of the imamate, the methods of its convening, the conditions that must be met in the imam, how to take over the imamate, the duties of the imam, the qualifications of the jurists, the jurisprudence and solutions presented by Al-Mawardi that pertain to ruling, the relationship between the imamate and the emirate, the forms of the emirate, and the circumstances of dispute with imam, and his dismissal.