The Political-Social Crises and Mystical Teachings in Merṣād al-ʿIbād by Najm al-Dīn Rāzī

This research aims to explore the thoughts of the great mystical writer from the medieval period, namely Najm al-Din Razi. This article seeks to answer the question: What did Najm al-Din Razi identify as the societal problems, and what solutions did he propose for these problems? Using Spragens’ theory of crisis in understanding political theories, we based our hypothesis on the idea that Najm al-Din Razi saw the fundamental crisis of the ۶th and ۷th centuries After Hijri as the divergence of social arrangements from true and righteous order. According to him, recognizing this true order and implementing it in society would resolve its problems and crises. According to Razi, this righteous order is achieved through genuine knowledge (ma’rifat), which is realized by transitioning from the outer to the inner self, prioritizing the hereafter over the worldly life, and ultimately establishing order on earth based on a true heavenly order. Establishing political, social, and economic relations based on the teachings derived from true mystical knowledge, according to Razi, paves the way for overcoming crises and achieving an ideal society where humans reach the goal of creation, i.e., knowing the Divine and attaining the status of God’s vicegerency.

Keywords:

Political Theory , Islamic governance , Sufism , Najjm al-Dīn Rāzī , Philosophical Political Thought , Spiritual Leadership , Shari’ah and Politics