Islamic Political Style (Book)

The Style of Islamic Politics is a book published by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its “Islamic Classics” series, compiling translations of key works by Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffaʿ, a figure of major importance in the history of Islamic thought. Prepared by Vecdi Akyüz, this volume aims to present Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s earliest texts on political and moral philosophy to the modern reader. The first edition was published in June 2004, consists of 135 pages, and has reached its third edition as of May 2018.

The Style of Islamic Politics includes Turkish translations of Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s principal treatises: al-Adab al-Saghir, al-Adab al-Kabir, Risalat al-Sahaba, al-Durrat al-Yatima, and al-Hikam. These works are recognized as among the earliest and most significant texts in Islamic political thought and ethical tradition. In these treatises, Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ focuses on the art of state governance, justice, the responsibilities of rulers, moral virtues, human relations, and social order.

The texts included in the book are not merely historical documents; they also contain numerous principles and insights relevant to contemporary fields such as education, personal development, psychology, social psychology, management, and business. Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s writings emphasize the inseparable unity of statecraft and ethics, discussing the qualities of the ideal ruler and the ethical norms that should guide society. The work serves as a rich resource for readers seeking to understand the early formation of Islamic political thought and to explore its connections with modern disciplines.

The language and style of the book reflect the weight and seriousness of the original texts, while Vecdi Akyüz’s translation renders them accessible to the contemporary reader. The texts are presented in an academic and objective tone, with concepts and approaches from the Islamic intellectual tradition explained in clear, explanatory language. The didactic and advisory tone of the original treatises has been preserved, without the inclusion of promotional or laudatory language. In conveying political and moral principles, the work carefully maintains its intellectual depth.

Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffaʿ (724–757) was a prominent thinker and writer who lived in the vibrant and affluent cultural environment of Basra. He was renowned for his extensive knowledge of Arabic language and literature, as well as Persian, Indian, and Greek cultures. During the early Abbasid period, he held various bureaucratic positions and authored numerous works, both original and translated. His treatises are among the first to lay the foundations of Islamic political and moral philosophy and have left lasting influences on later thinkers.

The Style of Islamic Politics holds great importance for bringing together Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s foundational texts and making them available in Turkish. The book serves as a valuable primary source for researchers studying the historical development of Islamic political thought, as well as for students in the fields of political science, moral philosophy, and Islamic history. It also speaks to a broad audience interested in exploring the contemporary applications of Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ’s universal principles of governance and humanity.