Inshaal Rehman April 7, 2013 Period 2 Political/ Economic System of Islam Religion and politics are one and the same in Islam. They are intertwined. We already know that Islam is a complete system of life and 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, from a government, elect councilors and members of parliament, make treaties and conduct business and commerce. Bear in mind that Islamic ruling system is not the same as the ruling system we have in the non-islamic countries.
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The Islamic Political System is based on the following main principles: Sovereignty of Allah, Khilafah of Mankind, Legislation by Shura, Accountibility of government, Independence of judiciary, and Equality before law. Sovereignty means the source of power. In Islam, Allah is the source of all powers and laws. It is Allah who knows what is good and what is bad for His servants. His say is final. All human beings unitedly cannot change His law. The Qu’an says, “As for the thief -male and female, chope off their hands. It is the reward of their own actions and exemplary punishment from Allah.
Allah is Mighty, Wise. ” According to Islam, this order is unchangeable by any parliament or any government which claims itself to be Islamic. There are many more laws in the Qur’an concerning our life and those laws must be put to practice by an Islamic state for the greater good of human beings. Man is the vicegerent, the agent or the representative of Allah swt on earth. Allah is the sovereign and man is His representative. Man should do as Allah commands him to do. But he has a choice to either obey or disobey Allah and, because of this freedom of choice, he will be tested on the Day of Judgment.
In the political sense, Khilafah means that human beings should implement the will of Allah on earth as His deputy or agent. As Allah’s agents, human beings will carry out the will of Allah swt on His behalf as a trust. Khilafah is a trust. Islam teaches us to run a government, to make legislation and decisions 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 scope for despotism in Islam. The Qur’an and the Sunnah will be the basis of legislation in Islam.
The Islamic political system makes the ruler and the government responsible firstly to Allah and then to the people. The ruler and the government are elected by the people to exercise ‘powers on their behalf. We must remember here that both the ruler and the ruled are the Khalifah of Allah and the ruler shall have to work for the welfare of the people according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. A ruler is a servant of the people of Islam. Both the ruler and the ruled will appear before Allah swt and account for their actions on the day of judgment. The responsibility of the ruler is heaver than the ruled.
Any ordinary citizen of an Islamic state has the right to ask any question on any matter to the ruler and the government. In the Islamic political system, the Judiciary is independent of the Executive. The head of the state or any government minister could be called to the court if necessary. They would be treated no differently from other citizens. The Qur’an has many injunctions about justice. One of the main functions of the Islamic state is to ensure justice to all citizens. The ruler and the government has no right to interfere in the system of justice.
The Islamic political system ensures equality for all citizens before the law. It does not recognize any discrimination on the basis of language, color, territory, sex or descent. Islam recognizes the preference of one over the other only on the basis of Taqwa (piety or fear of God). One who fears Allah swt most is the noblest in Islam. The duty of an Islamic state is to establish Salah and Zakah; promote the right and forbid the wrong. The state is responsible for the welfare of all its citizens – Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
It must guarantee the basic necessities of life. All citizens of the Islamic state shall enjoy freedom of belief, thought, conscience and speech. Every citizen shall be free to develop his potential, improve his capacity, earn and possess. A citizen shall enjoy the right to support or oppose any government policy which he thinks right or wrong with the following in mind: The Islamic state is a duty bound to implement the laws of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Qur’an strongly denounces those who do not decide their matters by Allah’s revelations.
It is forbidden to gain property or wealth by fraud, deceit, theft, or other falsehoods. “… Give just measure and weight, and do not withhold from people the things that are their due. And do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order. That will be best for you, if you have faith” (Qur’an 7:85). It is particularly hateful for a guardian to take from an orphan’s property. To orphans restore their property. Do not substitute your worthless things for their good ones, and do not devour their property by mixing it up with your own.
Forbidden are earnings from gambling, lotteries, and the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol. “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones, and divination by arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. Eschew such abomination, that you may prosper” (Qur’an 5:90). It is unlawful to hoard food and other basic necessities. Everyone should take what he or she need and no more. “And let those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah has given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them.
No, it will be the worse for them. Soon it will tie to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment. To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do” (Qur’an 3:180). A Muslim should be responsible in spending money. Extravagance and waste are strongly discouraged. The Servants of Allah are those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not stingy, but hold a just balance between those extremes. Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer.
Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah does not love the ones who waste. Muslims must pay Zakat[->0]. And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith, to establish regular prayer, and to give zakat. And that is the religion right and straight. Every Muslim who owns wealth, more than a certain amount to meet his or her needs, must pay a fixed rate of Zakat to those in need. Zakat is a means of narrowing the growth between the rich and the poor, and to make sure that everyone’s needs are met.
Muslims are encouraged to give constantly in charity. Your riches and your children may be but a trial. Whereas Allah, with him is the highest reward. So fear Allah as much as you can, listen and obey, and spend in charity for the benefit of your own souls. And those saved from the selfishness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity. The Prophet Muhammad once said, “Nobody’s assets are reduced by charity. ” [->0] – http://islam. about. com/od/zakat/p/zakat. htm
