Political Systems of Caliphate, Emirate and Ministry in Ibn al-Khaṭīb's Writings

Abstract

Ibn al-Khatīb was a prominent writer, historian and minister. Scholars tackled his literary efforts, as well as his political efforts as a minister, in innumerable of theses and researches.  However, Ibn al-Khatīb’s political thought remained understudied and was not clearly analysed by scholars. This research has, therefore, addressed this aspect in Ibn al-Khatīb, relying on his political writings, namely, Maqāmat al-siyāsah, wbstān al-Duwal, wa-takhṣīṣ al-Riyāsah bi-talkhīṣ al-siyāsah, wa-risālah al-falak fī Siyāsat al-Malik, wa-al-ishārah ilá adab al-Wizārah. The study will further identify some of his political views in his famous books of history and literature such as  al-Iḥāṭah fī Akhbār Gharnāṭah, wʼʻmāl al-Aʻlām fīman būyiʻa qabla al-iḥtilām wryḥānh al-Kitāb wnjʻh almntāb. Ibn al-Khatib’s political practice and exposure to its subsequent ravages and dangers had a great impact on him in writing down what he experienced particularly as one of the prominent ministers with plenipotentiary power in many political matters. He, thus, focused on his actions in his books. Some of these were his political writings that were concerned with political systems, and the superior-subordinate relationship. For example, he dealt with the state’s political system from its head, the “sultan,” to the lowest class of subjects.