Analyzing the Concept of Common Good in the Political Thought of Muslim Thinkers: Emphasis on the Views of Farabi and Ibn Miskawayh

In the general discourse of political science, "common good" refers to those material, cultural, or institutional facilities in which members of a given community share public interest. "Common good" is an important concept in political philosophy and political thought; because it plays an important role in philosophical thinking about the public and private dimensions of social life. In this article, while recognizing and analyzing the concept of common good and related concepts, we have examined the views of Muslim thinkers in relation to common good thought. The analysis of the political thought of Muslim thinkers has shown that they consider man to be, by nature, a social being, and in their opinion, the attainment of perfection and common good also depends on the formation of society. "There is no doubt that it is not possible for man to attain the perfections for which he was created, except for a large integrated community where everyone helps each other with what they need, and that thanks to them all that is necessary for human perfection is obtained." Therefore, Muslim thinkers such as Mullah Sadra and Farabi consider correct thinking and beneficial science as a necessary condition along with good morals, self-purification and exaltation of the soul. They believe that the first head of Medina should have the rank of divine caliphate and deserve to rule over the people and accomplish the mission of Allah the Almighty, so that common good may be spread. Such a person has reached the position and level of comprehensiveness in the threefold origin of intellect, soul and senses, has the merit of the Khalifatullah (Vicegerent of Allah) and the comprehensive manifestation of the divine names, and can spread common good in human society. This article tries to analyze the concept of common good in the political thought of Muslim thinkers in a descriptive-analytical way, using reliable library resources.