[5] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire – [Nidhaam Al-Mulk (An Amazing Man)]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Nidhaam Al-Mulk

He was known as Nidhaam Al-Mulk, Abu Ali Al-Hasan Bin Ali Bin Ishaq At-Toosee, a devout follower of the religion, wise and knowledgeable, a respected leader, well-versed in the affairs of the state, cheerful and amiable, pious and humble, regularly attending gatherings of scholars and students of the Qur’anic sciences. He established a prestigious school in Baghdad, another in Naysabur, and yet another in Tous. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, fostering connections among seekers of knowledge, transmitting hadeeth, and earning a renowned reputation. He found himself in various circumstances, eventually serving as a minister for Sultan Alp Arslan, and later as a minister to his son Malik Shah. He skillfully managed the lands under his authority, resolving grievances, showing kindness to his subjects, and establishing state endowments. The wise elders flocked to him, seeking to be close by his side. He advised Malik Shah to select leaders and governors with good morals, upright religious adherence, and bravery. The impact of this strategy became evident in the future, and one of the chosen leaders was Aq Sanqur, the grandfather of Noor Ad-Deen Mahmood, who governed Aleppo, Diyarbakir, and the Arabian Peninsula. Imam Ibn Kathir said, “He displayed exceptional conduct and a noble heart. Imaad Ad-Deen Zangi, his son, initiated the Jihad against the Crusaders, followed by Noor Ad-Deen Mahmood. This family laid the groundwork for the triumphs of Salah Ad-Din, Zahir Baybars, and Qalawun over the Crusaders, restoring unity and solidarity in the Islamic world. Similarly, Aq Sunqur al-Barasqi, a leader under Sultan Mahmood, the Seljuk, and the commander of Mosul, dedicated himself to the Jihad against the Crusade”. Ibn Al-Atheer said about him, “He was a freed Turkish slave, virtuous, loved the people of knowledge and the righteous, and he saw justice and acted upon it. He was one of the best rulers, used to strictly perform his prayers on time as well as the Tahajjud”.

When Malik Shah assumed control of the state, the military started to become disorganised and began to have more access to the nation’s wealth. They claimed, “The sultan only stops us from obtaining wealth because of NidhaamAl-Mulk”, leading to great harm for the people. So, he brought this issue to Sultan’s attention and explained the potential consequences, such as weakness, dishonour, vulnerability, the ruin of the country, and the loss of good governance. The Sultan told him, “Do what you believe is best in this matter!” He replied, “I can only act with your orders.” The Sultan responded, “I have entrusted all matters, big and small, to you, so you are like a father”. He then made an oath in the name of Allah about his statement, granted Nidhaam more power on top of what he already had, and presented him with a new outfit, along with titles, one of which was “The leader, the father”.

Nidhaam’s competence, bravery, and good behaviour became evident, satisfying the people’s hearts. On one occasion, a helpless woman sought his help, so he paused to converse with her; when one of his guards pushed her away, he openly criticised the guard’s actions, stating, “I only employ you to protect individuals like her, as the rulers and important figures do not require your services.” He then attended to the woman’s needs.

He loved the Islamic sciences, particularly the study of hadith. He used to say, “I know I am not worthy of narrating, but I love being linked to a chain of transmission that carries the hadith of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]”. His gatherings were packed with jurists and scholars, as he spent the majority of his day with them. When he was told, “These people distract you from many beneficial things,” he replied, “These people are the beauty of the world and the Hereafter, and it would not have been too much if I made them sit on my head.”

Ibn Al-Athir said about him, “He was a scholar, devoted to the religion, generous, just, forbearing, pardoned offenders a lot, and preferred silence for prolonged periods. His gatherings were packed with students of the Qur’anic sciences, the jurists, and the Imaams of the Muslims, the good and righteous people. He was among the memorisers of the Qur’an and dedicated himself to studying the Mad’hab of Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee. He would only sit in a state of ritual purity (Wudhu) and was never in that state except that he performed prayer. Whenever he heard the call to prayer (Adhaan), he would pause all his activities, and after it ended, he would resume with nothing else but prayer”. One of the indications of his humility was demonstrated one evening when he was dining with his brother Abul-Qaasim, while the Chief of Khurasan and a poor man with an amputated hand were also present. Observing the chief hesitating to eat with the man with the amputated hand, he instructed the chief to relocate, and then he moved close to the man with the amputated hand and ate with him. It was customary for him to offer his food to the poor and move it close to them.

In the year 485 AH, on Thursday, the tenth of the month of Ramadan, following the time of Iftaar, he prayed and then gathered around the meal table with a large group of people. He proceeded to discuss the significance of the location where they had arrived in the lands of Nahawand, recounting the historical events involving the Persians and the Muslims during the era of the Commander of the Faithful, Umar Bin Al-Khattab. He also paid tribute to the notable individuals who had been martyred there, concluding with the words, “Good news to those who follow in their footsteps.” After completing his Iftaar, he made his way back to his tent. Suddenly, a young Daylami [i.e. a person from the Daylan highlands (ran)] approached him under the guise of asking for something, only to strike him with a weapon instead. He was swiftly taken to the camp, where it was reported that he was the initial victim of the Ismaa’eeli Shiites’ violence. The tragic incident quickly spread throughout the army, causing an uproar. Upon hearing the news, Sultan Malik Shah arrived in a state of sorrow and tears, spending hours in the company of Nidhaam Al-Mulk until his passing. As for the murderer, he had stumbled across the tent, and then Nidhaam’s slaves pursued and killed him. Some of his servants said that his last words were “Do not kill the one who attempted to kill me because indeed I have forgiven him”. Then he uttered the Shahaadah and passed away”. Ibn Aqeel said about him, “He was a sea of sound intelligence, his life was filled with good, a generous and just person, one of the revivers of the signposts of the religion and his era was one of authority for the people of knowledge. He was murdered while on Hajj in Ramadan. [An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/33-38]