Al-Mawardi

Abu al-Hasan Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Habib al-Mawardi (d. 448H, 1058 C.E) was born in Basrah (present day Iraq) during the year 972 C.E. Here he learnt Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) from Abu al-Wahid al-Simari before travelling to Baghdad to study under the Sheikh Abd al-Hamid and the Sheikh Abdallah al-Baqi. Since both Basrah and Baghdad were homes of the Mu%27tazili school of thought (a non-Sunni group) at this time he was influenced by their teachings. His contribution in political science and sociology comprises a number of monumental books, the most famous of which are Kitab al-Ahkam al-Sultania {The Book of the Rules of Governance}, Qanun al-Wazarah {Laws regarding the Ministers}, and Kitab Nasihat al-Mulk {The Book of Sincere Advice to Rulers}. He is also creditted with the creation of the Doctrine of Necessity.

Contemporaries