The Force of Morality and its Influence on Directing History A Comparative Study between Al-Mawardi and Miskawayh

Abstract

​This study represents an academic and philosophical endeavor to delve into the laws of history and determine the trajectory of events through the lens of the moral and psychological equilibrium of societies. Grounded in the intellectual frameworks of two monumental Islamic thinkers, Al-Mawardi and Miskawayh, this research posits that the philosophy of history from this perspective transcends the mere narration of the chronicles of kings and armies. Instead, it is understood as a profound internal process directly intertwined with the purification of the soul and the governance of reason over animalistic instincts. When these internal dimensions weaken, civilization inevitably drifts toward a slow decline and ultimate collapse. Consequently, this study seeks to identify the concept of morality as the primary cornerstone for the sustenance of urban life (umran) and human coexistence, thereby elucidating the underlying psychological architecture of humanity.

Within this framework, a comparative methodology is employed to illuminate Al-Mawardi’s vision of morality as a driving force in history, juxtaposing it with the ethical system of Miskawayh, who perceives history as a human experience rich with lessons for the future. For Miskawayh, worldly affairs are inherently recurrent, and comprehension of the past empowers human will to enact reform and preempt the inevitability of civilizational decay. This is achieved through the implementation of authentic justice and liberation from the bondage of materialism and financial greed—forces that have historically disrupted public order and dismantled the authority of rulers preoccupied solely with fleeting pleasures.
​The study concludes that preserving core moral values, such as the fulfillment of covenants, chastity, and wisdom, constitutes an indispensable prerequisite for the continuity of civilizational progress, whereas their erosion marks the genesis of historical collapse for nations. As history serves as rational evidence for discovering universal laws (sunan) and the principles of civilization, the philosopher of history must synthesize psychological, intellectual, and economic factors to present a comprehensive matrix of historical movement—one that ultimately serves the public good and the moral happiness of humanity across all eras.