Religion and Theology

According to the Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World by James E. Lindsay, the political fragmentation of the Islamic empire and of the institution of the caliphate started under the Abbasid caliphs in the year 750 and reigned until 1258. The Abbasids ruled over the Umayyads by starting a Shis revolt. However, the Abbasid caliphate never fully recovered from the civil war between Harul al-Rashids two sons. It resulted in the formation of many petty states under Muslim rulers in North Africa and Spain to the west, and in Iran and the lands further east. The Abbasid caliphs really only ruled in central and southern Iraq in the early 900s (Lindsay 17).

The expansion of the Islam community brought about an ethnic shift when Turkic dynasties dominated the political  life of the Islamic world. Seljuk, a leader from a Turkic tribesmen, tried and succeeded in ruling the lands of Iraq and Iran with the help of the Seljukids. There were major transformations regarding the rules and regulations as well as on how a Sultan should act. Nizam Al-Mulk, the Seljukid Wazir, wrote the  The Book of Government or Rules for Kings  for the Seljukid Sultan. This was made to help the sultan rule wisely and justly. The book is mainly about how kings could rule justly. It also explains the main role of God in putting him into power and how God can dethrone the king if he will not follow his rules in implementing justice and order to his governance. He stated many examples and cited several stories of the past leaders that can justify the need to be good and just for the welfare of the people.

Nushirvan The Just, one of the kings that is mentioned in the book, was determined and honest to take unjustly deeds off the people who were in the seat. To him, the rich and poor are equal hence, people regardless of their social class should receive necessary punishments if they break the rules. He never tolerated people in power who take advantage the poor. Even the Governor of Adherbaygan was not exempted from being criticized regarding his cruelty towards an old poor lady. Nashurvan did not allow every single act of corruption to remain unpunished (Al-Mulk 190-205).

Nizam Al Muks book is also centered on the maintenance of the trade routes and bridges. It also explains the importance of having trustworthy individuals in handling money such as tax collectors. It also mentions the law which requires the changing of tax collectors or assignees every two to three years so that they would not become complacent in their position of power  (Al-Mulk 41). The rules concerning judges, preachers, and censors demanded full information and extensive study regarding the cases, even the people who relayed news to the king so that they can uphold the dignity of the their positions.

The policies of Nizam Al Muk are very practical in the sense that the people who know what  is  right or wrong  can easily adhere to them. The main idea of his rules can be generally used in different governments because they are very basic and they were created in line with Gods teaching. These policies will not let any government down for they promote goodness to all leaders because God wants a ruler to be just, and they are still applicable today for everything that was written was made for the benefit of Gods people.