Open AccessReligion as a Pillar for Establishing a Civilization: Al-Māwardī’s Perspective
Author(s) -
Fadi Zatari
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of islamic thought and civilization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2520-0313
pISSN - 2075-0943
DOI - 10.32350/jitc.111.13
Subject(s) - civilization , perspective (graphical) , argument (complex analysis) , persuasion , meaning (existential) , sociology , pillar , ecological civilization , environmental ethics , epistemology , social science , political science , philosophy , law , social psychology , psychology , china , engineering , computer science , chemistry , biochemistry , structural engineering , artificial intelligence
This study examines religion in terms of establishing and maintaining a civilization based on Abū al-Ḥasan al-Māwardī’s (d. 1058) contribution, “Kitāb adab al-dunyā wa-al-dīn.” In this paper, the central argument is that religion is a pillar for establishing and maintaining civilization. There are no possibilities for a civilization to be constituted and maintained without a central role for religion. I will elaborate on the meaning of religion from al-Māwardī’s perspective and its role in constructing a civilization. This paper considers several religious notions and concepts proposed by al-Māwardī for this purpose. For instance, ‘al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb’ (persuasion and intimidation) and al-ulfah (social affinity) indicate how religion can affect individual behaviors and actions and helps create and maintain civilization. As a methodology, this paper analyses al-Māwardī’s contribution and compares it with significant contributions to civilization Studies. It concludes that a profound understanding of religion's role in any civilization gives a proper direction for understanding civilization and how religion can enhance and improve people's behavior and manners, which reflects positively on religion’s role in establishing and preserving a civilization.