Nizam Al-Mulk Tusi

By Naima Sohaib

Nizam al-Mulk Tusi was the vizier and the power behind the throne for the Seljuq emperors of the eleventh century. Almost single-handedly he brought the empire to its peak, caring for the king and the people with commendable dedication. His wisdom and insight in preventing crises, his understanding of the world of politics and intrigue, and his avoidance of entangling himself in conspiracies make him a figure of much admiration and respect. His consititution the ‘Siyastnama’ is considered a political masterpiece and is still translated and studied today. Finally, his work as an educationist in establishing the Nizamiyya institutes which revolutionised the education system in the Islamic world left behind him a legacy which has effects on the world to this day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naima Sohaib
• Release date: Jan 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463023174

Book preview

NIZAM AL-MULK TUSI

Naima Sohaib

Muslim Heroes series No. 19

Translated by Rida Sohaib

Copyright  2018 Naima Sohaib

Smashwords Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, including photocopying, recording, Internet or any storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the Publisher.

Available in print at Dawah Books

dawahbooks.com.pk

Translated from the Urdu book Islami Tareekh ki Qabil-e-Fakhr Shakhsiat by Naima Sohaib

Table of Contents

Title page

Foreword

Who was Nizam al-Mulk Tusi?

Birth

Childhood and Early Life

Historical Background

Nizam al-Milk – The Wise Advisor

Malik Shah’s Rule – the Height of Nizam al-Mulk’s Power

Nizam al-Mulk’s Care for the Common People

Brief Overview of the Muslim Education System Before 5th Century Hijri

The Nezamiyyah Institutes: Nizam al-Mulk’s Incredible Achievement and a Great Education Movement

Siyasatnama – an Unparalleled Treatise on Politics and Statecraft

Nizam al-Mulk – a Great Political Thinker

Conspiracies and Suspension

Death

Personality and Character

References

About the Author

About the Translator

Foreword

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

In a world of dirty politics and incompetent leaders, it often feels as if capable and altruistic leaders who lead a nation to victory and protect their people are a mere dream. It is difficult to name a single politician who inspires with their character, competence and genuine love for the people without lining their own pockets. In such a world the life of Nizam al-Mulk Tusi appears as a fresh breath of air.

Nizam al-Mulk almost single-handedly brought the Seljuq empire of the 11th century to its peak, caring for the king and the people with commendable dedication. His wisdom and insight in preventing crises, his understanding of the world of politics and intrigue, and his avoidance of entangling himself in conspiracies make him a figure of much admiration and respect. Finally, his work as an educationist in establishing the Nizamiyya institutes which revolutionized the education system in the Islamic world left behind him a legacy which has effects on the world to this day. The translation of this book is both a token of my admiration for him and a reminder that not all politicians are corrupt and self-serving. The example of Nizam al-Mulk as a role model give us hope that today’s politicians can emulate him and elevate themselves to the level of statesmen.

I would like to thank Naima Sohaib for inspiring me with her reverence for Muslim heroes which is reflected in her writings, and Sohaib Umar for editing this translation. May Allah SWT accept our efforts.

Rida Sohaib

Nizam al-Mulk Tusi

A Great Statesman and Educationist

Who was Nizam al-Mulk Tusi?

His name was Hasan, his nickname (kuniat) was Abu Ali, and his title was Nizam al-Mulk. His lineage is Hasan bin Ali bin Ishaq.

Birth

Hasan was born on the 21st of Dhul Qa’ada in 408 AH (1017 CE) on a Friday in the village of Radkan located in Tus, Persia. His association with Tus leads to the addition of Tusi next to his title.

Childhood and Early Life

Hasan belonged to a middle class family of landowners. His father Ali bin Ishaq was engaged in agriculture. His mother Zamurrud Khatun named him Hasan after the Prophet’s grandson due to a dream she had before he was born. Hasan was young when his mother passed away. His father was facing financial difficulties at the time, but cognizant of the importance of knowledge, he arranged for a good quality education for his son. He himself was considered an expert in mathematics, measurement and jurisprudence, which is why the local governor appointed him as tax collector.

When Hasan entered school, his first teacher was the scholar Abdul Samad Kandoji. Hasan’s extraordinary intellect and memory soon made him prominent among his peers. He was naturally organized and disciplined from a young age. He advised his teachers on how to divide the large number of students into efficient