Al-Mawardi Quotes
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi was an Arab Islamic jurist of the Shafi'i school and the principal classical theorist of Sunni political thought. Born in Basra and trained at Baghdad, he served as chief qadi of several Iraqi towns and as a high diplomatic envoy of the Abbasid caliph to the Buyid sultans. The quotes below are attributed to Al-Mawardi, organized by topic.
Al-Mawardi on God
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Attributed to Al-Mawardi:
“Religion and government are twins; one preserves what the other establishes.”
Al-Mawardi on Justice
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Attributed to Al-Mawardi:
“Justice in rule is more precious than gold in trade.”
Al-Mawardi on Politics
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Attributed to Al-Mawardi:
“The caliph holds his office in trust for the community of believers.”
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Attributed to Al-Mawardi:
“The good ruler hears every voice but is moved only by truth.”
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Attributed to Al-Mawardi:
“He who rules without justice is not a ruler but an oppressor.”