Socio Economic Philosophy Of Islam: Imam Al Mawardi's Theory Of State

Socio Economic Philosophy of Islam (Term Project)
Topic: Imam Al Mawardi’s Theory of State (Theory of Caliphate)
Introduction
Imam Mawardi was born in Basra in 972 A.D. He studied fiqh under Abu al-Wahid al-Simari in Baghdad and produced many of his workings which include Al-Ahkam al-Sultania w'al-Wilayat al-Diniyya, Kitab Nasihat al-Mulk, Kitab Aadab al-Dunya w'al-Din, Qanun al-Wazarah, Personas of the Prophethood and other of his works that are undiscovered yet. He was appointed to the post of Qazi in Baghdad, also he served as diplomat on part of Caliph al-Qaim on 4 instances and on behalf of Caliph al- Qadir on one instance. He is one of the most prominent Islamic philosophers whose works are mainly based on Islamic politico-religious theory
These characteristics include that the imam should be a free adult male, strong charactered, prevailer of justice, frugal, brave and courageous to fight wars. A Caliph according to Al Mawardi should be mentally, physically and sensually fit and should have deep insight. He must be a Momin (obedient to divine law) with good knowledge of fiqh and should be liked by a majority of people. According to Al Mawardi, an imam can be any person unless he fits into aforementioned qualifications and unless he is a momin but it is preferable that the caliph is from
He describes two ways in which Caliph can be elected, the first being that the Caliph has the vote of majority of electorates and the second being that the caliph is nominated by the existing Caliph. In the first method, if there are great number of voters and people themselves choose the Imam, a sly opportunist may trick the voters and a corrupt man might become Caliph. Al Mawardi says that this method is most effective if the qualities of voters are also evaluated and there is a limited number of voter, so that the chances to elect the best man as Caliph increase. In the second method, the existing Caliph can nominate his inheritor as he is aware of the qualities of the candidates. The Caliph can also nominate more than 1 Caliph in succession of one another. Al Mawardi is of opinion that there cannot be more than one Caliph at same time and if there is only one candidate for the position of Caliph, he automatically becomes Caliph without any election necessary.
According to Al Mawardi, an Imam may be deposed if he becomes morally degrading by his actions to the collectible interests of the Islamic state. He may also be deposed if he gets indulged in worldly affairs and changes his ideology under the control of a foreign body who are enemies of Islam. Also an Imam may be deposed if he goes against the divine laws of Quran and Sunnah, violate human rights and preaches un-Islamic