Texts on Good Character and the “Mirror of Princes”
The Timbuktu manuscripts on good governance are part of the tradition of the literary genre known as the “mirror of princes”
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The following excerpts, relating to good governance, are part of the tradition of the literary genre known as the “mirror for princes”
These treatises intended for princes or sultans recommend qualities to be displayed and behaviors to be adopted to be a successful leader. Considerations on the qualities of a prince are based on the idea that a kingdom is in the image of its ruler.
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In other words, the elites (religious and social leaders) must set a good example as role models to be emulated by the people.
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Accepting blessings and warding off misfortune
Ahmed Baba, the greatest scholar in Timbuktu, was the author of this manuscript:
MS N°775 p21 Forebringing blessings and pushing away misfortune, by avoiding unfair rulers by Ahmad BabaSAVAMA-DCI
"[…] A sultan experiences moments of drunkenness. He sometimes forgives those who deserve his anger and gets angry with those who deserve forgiveness. They say that anyone who sinks in the sea takes the risk, but anyone who associates with a sultan takes more risk.
[…] Consider neither an insult from the sultan nor his rudeness as such; wielding power may entertain him although he does not attempt to stray into good or evil. […] If you are called upon to associate with a sultan, you must know how to cajole him like an intelligent and ugly woman coaxes her stupid and hateful husband.
A Persian sage once said there are four things that should be explained, regardless of cleverness of mind, to a person with intelligence, as well as to one without it: interpreting faith, preparing remedies, pointing out a perilous route, […] and associating with a sultan.
[…] When you succeed in distancing yourself from the sultan and depriving yourself of his company, do so and spare your efforts because anyone who violates a sultan’s rights will be deprived of the happiness of this world. On the other hand, anyone who abstains from his rights, will be struck by him with shame here below and will take this sin into the hereafter.
Wise words have said that too many occupations lead us to forget true pleasures. How many times have we seen and learned that a wise and virtuous person chooses to associate with a sultan in order to guide him to the right path, but ends up following him along his diverted path.
As they also say, the example of he who associates with a sultan is like he who tries to straighten a leaning wall, puts his weight on the wall, and brings it down on himself, killing himself”.
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Some ulamas, such as Ahmed Baba, symbol of the cultural renaissance of Timbuktu, objected to and denounced the bloodthirsty and corruptible nature of power. Ahmed Baba believed power corrupted and was best kept at a distance: “When you succeed in distancing yourself from the sultan and depriving yourself of his company, do so”.
For Ahmed Baba, the example of someone who associated with a sultan was like someone who tried to straighten a leaning wall, put their weight on the wall, and brought it down on themselves, killing them”.
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