Here is a scholarly, authoritative study of Islam's contribution to political and administrative theory and practice - it is a magnificent contribution! The book shows how, when Western Europe was just emerging from the Dark Ages, a great Islamic civilization of developing profound new political ideas and an elaborate, sophisticated administrative system. The ideas were supplied by a remarkable group of religious-political thinkers, including Ibn Khaldun, to whom the book gives special emphasis because of this continuing relevance to political and administrative thought. The administrative system was founded on new legal-rational and ethical norms that were essentially derived from the Shari'ah (Islam's sacred law).

In particular, the book focuses on the Abbasid and Fatimid states of Islam's 'Golden Age' - and on the nature and evolution of the huge bureaucracy that sustained them. It goes on to explore the impact of the Islamic tradition and past on government and administration in the Middle East today, drawing conclusions that could well lead to more efficient, effective, and humane political and administrative practice in the future.