The Links between Politics and Mysticism in Najm Rāzi's Mersād al- Ebād

This study investigates Mersād al-‘Ebād and its contents on the policies of the rulers. Chapter five of this book on “various groups and their policies” deals with policies of different monarch and ministers of the time. It discusses issues such as the legitimacy of the monarchs, the position of kingdom in mysticism, special and ordinary kingdoms, and the superiority of monarchs over prophecy policies of ministers. Najm Rāzi is one of the sophists who believes in the relationships between politics and mysticism. From his viewpoint, monarchy is God’s blessing on human beings and a monarch is God’s successor in the world as long as he does not commit cruelties. If he does evil, he will no longer be the successor of God on earth. His duty is to be kind to peasants and he has to performs his job well to satisfy God.