The Personality of Tamerlane in the Works of Medieval Theologians

Research objectives: Tamerlane’s personality evokes various assessments from historians, statesmen, and politicians. Also, the differences in the assessment depend on citizenship or a specialist’s belonging to a particular ethnic group. In the case of Tamerlane, his personality is perceived negatively by Tatar historians since his activities served as one of the reasons behind the demise of the Golden Horde. As for researchers from Central Asia, they present him as a great commander and statesman. In this regard, it is very interesting to identify the conclusions of the theologians of the Middle Ages since they were closer chronologically to the historical period under study. Within the framework of this study, the works of theologians are analyzed for the presence of a fatwa declaring Tamerlane not to be a Muslim. As such, the aim of the study is to identify the statements of theologians of the Middle Ages about the personality of Tamerlane. Research materials: The source base of the research was the works of such theologians as al-Bazzazi, Ibn Arabshah, Ibn Qasir, Ibn Khaldun, ash-Shawkani, as-Sahawi, etc. Research results: As a result of our research, the statements of theologians about the personality of Tamerlane and fatwas have been revealed regarding those who deviate from the Islamic Sharia, but without specifying the takfir tied to his personality. Novelty of the research: Within the framework of this study, the fatwas of Muslim theologians regarding the personality of Tamerlane have been analyzed for the first time ever.