4to. 571 pp., [1 pp., errata, 2 pp., index, 1 pp., alphabetical index], Arabic text & title within borders, original cloth backed binding, few worm holes on margins, Mahmud Bey Printing Press, Istanbul, 1318 A. H/ 1900.

Synopsis

Al-Mawardi known in Latin as Alboacen (972–1058 CE), was a jurist of Shafi’i school, most remembered for his works on religion, government, the caliphate, public and constitutional law during a time of political turmoil. Appointed as chief judge over several districts near Nishapur in Persia and Baghdad itself, al-Mawardi also served as a diplomat for the Abbasid Caliph al-Qa’im and al-Qadi in negotiations with the Buyid Emirs. He is best known for his treatise “Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya w’al-Wilayat al-Diniyya”, which provides a detailed definition of the functions of caliphate government, which under the Buyids, appeared to be rather indefinite and ambiguous. This work discusses the literary and ethical values of Islam.