Abstract

This article explores the relationship between shari’a and political power, as conceptualized in the early development of political thought within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Focusing on Ibn al-Muqaffa‘, a pivotal figure in this intellectual landscape, the article delves into his well-known treatise, The Epistle on the Elite, and seeks to grasp the reasons of its unique yet contentious role in the evolution of Islamic political thought. By offering a novel interpretation of this work, the article seeks to illuminate how Ibn al-Muqaffa‘ comes up with an original articulation between the ancient paradigm of imperial monarchy and the notion of divine legislation within a monotheistic framework. According to the author, such an articulation should be considered the starting point for the historical development of Islamic political reason.