al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Siyasat al-Muluk

al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Siyasat al-Muluk (The Traversed Path in the Governance of Kings) is a 12th-century treatise on Islamic political thought, administrative ethics, and statecraft written by Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasr al-Shayzari (d. ca. 589–590 AH / 1193–1194 CE) al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si…+1.

Authorship and Dedication

The author, Abu al-Fada'il Jamal al-Din 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Shayzari, composed the work for the library of the Ayyubid Sultan al-Malik al-Nasir Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (d. 589 AH / 1193 CE) al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si…+1. In some biographical and bibliographical dictionaries, the author's name is recorded with variations, such as 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abd al-Rahman or 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Abd Allah Idah al-Maknun fi al-Dhay…+1.

In his introduction, al-Shayzari stated that he compiled the book to present principles of governance, royal decorum, the administration of subjects, the pillars of the realm, and military regulations, employing conciseness and brevity so that the counsel would remain accessible and engaging al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….

Structure and Contents

The work is organized into twenty thematic chapters (abwab) al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si…+1:

1. The subjects' fundamental need for a just ruler al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si…+1.
2. The virtue of courtly refinement (adab) and the ruler's need for it al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
3. The rules and foundations of adab al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
4. The pillars and essential foundations of the kingdom al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
5. Praiseworthy character traits and encouragement toward them al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
6. Blameworthy character traits and prohibitions against them al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
7. Protocol and royal rank with companions when seated and while riding al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
8. The merit of mutual consultation (mashurah) and urging its practice al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
9. The requisite qualities of advisors and relevant historical anecdotes al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
10. The principles of politics, policy, and state administration al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
11. Holding sessions for the redress of grievances (mazalim) al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
12. The etiquette required for courtiers and companions of kings al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
13. Recognizing common conspiracies and stratagems plotted against rulers al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
14. Military management and the leadership of soldiers al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
15. The obligations of the army regarding military service and jihad al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
16. Steadfastness and perseverance against enemies in battle al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
17. Guidelines on combating highway robbers, apostates, and rebels al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
18. The legal distribution of spoils of war (ghanimah) and tribute (fay') al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
19. Protocol and actions incumbent upon the ruler when returning with the army al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….
20. Encouraging rulers to listen to and accept admonitions from ascetics and scholars al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….

Method and Sources

The work combines practical political instruction with moral and literary elements. Al-Shayzari integrates philosophical maxims, proverbs, historical anecdotes (nawadir al-akhbar), moral counsel, and poetic verses to support his guidance on governing subjects and directing the state apparatus al-Manhaj al-Masluk fi Si….

Publication History

An early print edition of the text was published in Bulaq in 1256 AH / 1840 CE Iktifa al-Qanu bima huwa …. A later critical edition edited by 'Ali 'Abd Allah al-Musa was published by Maktabat al-Manar in Jordan al-Amthal wal-Hikam - al-…. Manuscript copies of the text are preserved in collections such as the Egyptian National Library (Dar al-Kutub) in Cairo al-Alam lil-Zirikli.