Download political system of Islam

Political system of Islam
politics is a part of Islam. It cannot be separated from it. Indeed, the separation of religion and
politics is meaning in Islam. Politics is very much a part of our collective life. Just as Islam
teaches us how to say Salah, observe Sawm, pay Zakah and undertake Hajj, so it teaches us how
to run a state, form a government, elect representatives, make treaties and conduct trade.
The Islamic political system is based on the following main principles:
01 Sovereignty of Allah
Sovereignty means the source of power authority. In Islam, Allah is the source of all power and
Laws. It is Allah who knows what is good and what is bad for His servants. His say is final.
Human beings should not and must not change His Law. For example, the Quran says, “As for
the thief, male and female, chop off their hands. It is the reward of their own action and
exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise. According to Islam, this order cannot
be changed by any ruler or government claiming to be Islamic. There are many laws in the
Quran concerning our life, and chose laws must be put into practice by an Islamic state for the
greater good of a human being.
02 Khalifah of Mankind (Vicegerency of Man)
Man is the vicegerent, the agent or the representative of Allah on each. Allah is the sovereign
and man is His representative. Man should do as Allah commands him to do. Man can chose
either to obey or disoby Allah, but because of this freedom of choice he will be answerable to
Allah on the Day of Judgement. In the political sense, Khilafah means that human beings should
implement the will of Allah on earth as His deputy or agent , on His belief as a trust. An agent is
always expected to behave as his master wants him to behave.
03 Legislation by Shura (Conclusion)
Islam teaches us how to run a government, to legislate and to arrive at decision by the process
of Shura. Shura means “to take decisions by consultation and participation”. This is an
important part of the Islamic political system. There is no room for despotism and tyranny in
Islam. shura must be based on the Quran and the Sunnah. It must not contradict or attempt to
overruble the Quran and the Sunnah.
04 Accountability of Government
The Islamic political system makes the ruler and the government responsible firstly to Allah and
then to the people. The ruler must work for the welfare of the people according to the Quran
and the Sunnah of prophet Muhammud. In Islam the ruler is a servant of the people. Citizens of
an Islamic state have the rights to question the ruler and the government about any matters
that concern them. In turn, the people must obey their ruler, so long as he follows the Quran
and Sunnah. Both the ruler and the ruled are the Khakifah of Allah. They will appear before
Allah and account for their actions on the Day of Judgment. The responsibility of the ruler is
heavier than the ruler.
05 Independence of the Judiciary
In the Islamic political system, the judiciary is independent of the executive. The head of the
state, the government and any member or employee of the government can be called to the
court when necessary. They would be treated no differently from other citizens. The Quran has
many injunctions about justice. One of the main functions of the Islamic state is to ensure
justice for all citizens. The ruler and the government have no right to interfere in the system of
justice.
06 Equality Before the Law
The Islamic political system ensures equality for all citizens before the law. It does not
discriminate against anyone on the basis of language, colour, class, race, religion or sex. Allah
distinguishes between us on the basis of Taqwa ( piety or fear of Allah). One who loves and
fears Allah most is the best and noblest in Islam.
Conclusion
The duty of an ideal Islamic state is to establish Salah and Zakah, promote the right and forbid
the wrong. The state is responsible for the welfare of all citizens Muslims and non-Muslims
alike. It must guarantee the basis necessities of life (food, clothing, housing, medicine and
education). All citizens of the Islamic state should enjoy freedom of belief, thought, conscience
and speech. Every citizen should be free to develop his potential, improve his capacity, earn
wealth and own such wealth within the limits set by the Quran and the Sunnah.