Ibn al-Qayyim vs Pei Du

Ibn al-Qayyim was imprisoned with his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah in the Citadel of Cairo for their shared theological views. He remained loyal to Ibn Taymiyyah throughout the imprisonment, continuing to study and write.

Ibn al-Qayyim completed a comprehensive work on Islamic eschatology and the Prophet Muhammad's life, covering topics from death to the afterlife. The book became a standard reference for Sunni eschatology.

Ibn al-Qayyim was appointed as a judge in Damascus, where he implemented Hanbali jurisprudence. He was known for his strict rulings and his opposition to Sufi practices, following the teachings of Ibn Taymiyyah.

Ibn al-Qayyim compiled a treatise on prophetic medicine, combining hadith with Galenic medical theory. He recommended honey, black seed, and cupping as treatments, and criticized unorthodox medical practices.

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote a detailed treatise on the nature of the soul, its survival after death, and the intermediate state (barzakh). He argued for the soul's immortality and its ability to interact with the living.

Pei Du was appointed Chancellor under Emperor Xianzong. He was a strong advocate for centralizing imperial authority and suppressing the rebellious military governors (jiedushi) who had become semi-independent after the An Lushan Rebellion.

Pei Du was attacked by assassins sent by the rebellious governor Li Shidao while walking to court. He was wounded but survived, and the attack galvanized Emperor Xianzong to take stronger action against the separatist governors.

Pei Du personally oversaw the military campaign against the rebellious governor Wu Yuanji of Huaixi. He took command of the front lines, boosting morale, and the Tang army captured Caizhou, ending the rebellion and restoring imperial control.

Pei Du supervised the compilation of the 'Tang Huiyao', an institutional history of the Tang dynasty. This work documented government regulations, rituals, and laws, becoming a key source for Tang administrative history.

Pei Du retired from the chancellorship but remained an influential advisor to Emperor Muzong. He counseled against aggressive military campaigns that overextended Tang resources, though his advice was not always heeded.