Ibn Taymiyyah (661-728 AH/1263-1348 AD)'s view of the states and powers of Islamic history

Abstract

Ibn Taymiyyah is one of the prominent Muslim scholars of the Middle Ages who had a significant impact on Islamic society during his time and whose influence continues to this day.

This study aims to discuss Ibn Taymiyyah’s perspective on power and states in Islamic history, especially since some of these states still hold doctrinal significance for a large segment of Muslims. Discussing them is considered part of Islamic beliefs and sparks debates between supporters and opponents.

Ibn Taymiyyah based his approach on religious texts, interpreting issues from this perspective. However, he did not limit himself to that; he also relied on intellectual analysis and sought to understand historical events from multiple angles.

He addressed many historical issues from the beginning of creation to his era, with a particular interest in analyzing the power dynamics and states throughout Islamic history. His study encompassed major states such as the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid caliphates, as well as prominent powers like the Zengids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks, in addition to regional powers such as the Ghaznavids. He evaluated these states from a religious perspective, sometimes providing a more detailed and nuanced religious analysis