Abstract

This dissertation attempts to study and analyze the program of reform of the seventh/thirteenth century Muslim scholar and activist, Ibn Taymiyah, in light of historical contexts. The three areas which are investigated in this work to best understand Ibn Taymiyah's attack on the problems of his setting are the intellectual, social, and political contexts of his time; his writings and thoughts on those contexts; and the activities he engaged in socially and politically to induce reform. ;In contrast to the generally stagnant intellectual trend of his time, Ibn Taymiyah is found to be a prolific writer and original thinker, who went against many of the social and intellectual norms of his age. He wrote about the way a government based on the guidelines of the Qur'an and Sunnah should function. He used reason to refute the kalam of the influential Ash'ari 'ulama' and preferred ijtihad over blind following of the madhhabs . Ibn Taymiyah played a pivotal supportive role in the Mamluk triumph over the Mongols both as a scholar and warrior. The Shi'ah concepts of infallibility and an awaited imam, which were welcomed by the newly converted Muslim Mongol rulers, were refuted. He issued numerous fatwas against practices rampant in Mamluk society, particularly among Sufis, which were innovations to the shari'ah. Though he was not affiliated with the authorities and many of his thoughts seemed radical in his day, Ibn Taymiyah took an active role in the implementation of the reforms he proposed and even enforced the shari'ah with the support of his followers. ;This study shows that Ibn Taymiyah's occasional agreements with the Mamluk authorities or the populace were not based on appeasement but rather on what he deemed best for the propagation of the shari'ah. Yet Ibn Taymiyah prioritized the expression of his views based on the political and social conditions of his society. When he did not reject Sufism completely--due to a lack of knowledge of the reality of the movement--he weakened his fight against Sufi innovations. Ibn Taymiyah's call for a return to the way of the earliest generations caused the Salafi viewpoint to gain momentum