Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 22)
The General Features of an Islamic State and Its Difference from a Democratic State (Continued…)
The Difference Between an Islamic State and a Secular/Democratic State
As explained earlier, an Islamic state is a religious state in which the structure of political authority or at least the qualifications of its rulers are defined according to the criteria established in religious texts. This concept is fundamentally different from a secular state or democracy, which is based on the separation of religion from politics and rejects the authority of religion in political life.
However, secularism (ʿilmaniyyah) in the field of political thought does not necessarily mean hostility toward religion or denial of religion. Rather, the defining characteristic of secularism is adherence to the independence of human reason in understanding political phenomena and interests. In other words, a secular person limits the sphere of religion to areas that lie beyond the reach of human reason and regards politics as an area that human reason is capable of organizing and regulating.
Consequently, the two intellectual systems, the religious state and the secular state, present different criteria when designing their ideal political systems, revealing fundamental distinctions between the two approaches. The most important differences between these two types of states are explained below:
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The Head of State and Its Legitimacy
In an Islamic state, the head of state is a figure such as a prophet, imam, caliph, or Amir al-Mu’minin (commander of the believers), whose legitimacy is derived from religion. In contrast, the head of a secular state comes to power through methods such as popular election, hereditary succession, a coup, or a revolution, thereby acquiring at least a form of coercive legitimacy.
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The Basis of Laws
An Islamic state is governed according to the rulings of Islamic law legislated through the Prophet, while the laws of a secular state are based on human reason and the will of human beings.
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The Nature of Obedience to Rulers
In an Islamic state, obedience to rulers, before being a civic duty, is a religious obligation. Such obedience is also regarded as a criterion of faith. The Qur’an says, «فَلاٰ وَرَبِّكَ لاٰ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتّٰى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمٰا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ… [1]» Translation: “By your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you judge concerning their disputes, then find no discomfort in their hearts regarding your judgment and submit completely.”
In a secular state, however, obedience to the ruler is merely a civic duty and has no connection with faith or disobedience to Allah (SWT).
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Opposition to the Head of State
In an Islamic state, opposition to the head of state may be considered rebellion (baghy), armed hostility (hirabah), or hypocrisy (nifaq), which may entail religious punishments and punishment in the Hereafter. In contrast, in a secular state, opposition to the government is subject only to worldly legal penalties and is not considered a religious sin.
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The Sacredness of Laws
The laws of an Islamic state, being based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, possess a sacred character. This sacredness extends to the laws and regulations of the Islamic state and creates a greater sense of submission and obedience among the people.
By contrast, the laws of a secular state do not possess such sacredness and do not produce in people the same effect as divine laws.
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Permanence of Laws
The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), which form the foundation of the laws of an Islamic state, are eternal and unchangeable. Everything contained in them is truth, and they contain no falsehood or alteration. Even the head of an Islamic state cannot make the slightest change to these laws.
Nevertheless, religious texts are subject to interpretation and explanation, and through ijtihad, they can be applied to contemporary needs. Thus, development and adaptation have a particular place within the Islamic system.
In contrast, the laws of a secular state are based on a constitution that is continually subject to amendment, reform, and revision. Such laws are neither eternal nor sacred and may change according to the wishes of those who hold sovereignty.
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The Duration of the Ruler’s Government
In an Islamic state, the ruler remains in office as long as he possesses the qualifications established by Islamic law. His rule ends only when those qualifications cease to exist or when his appointed term of life comes to an end. In some modern theories, efforts have been made to introduce a fixed time limit for the tenure of an Islamic ruler; however, this view has not yet been fully accepted or widely adopted.
In contrast, in a secular state, the ruler has a limited and specified term of office determined in advance by the constitution or by the customs of society.
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The Purpose and Duties of the Ruler
The most important duty of a ruler in a religious state is to implement Islamic law and seek the pleasure of Allah. In other words, although Islamic law is established by Allah for the benefit and welfare of people, the primary objective of the ruler in an Islamic state is to attain divine pleasure through implementing the rulings of Islamic law, rather than merely fulfilling the wishes of the people. Of course, the assumption is that in a religious society, the people’s satisfaction is also achieved through the implementation of Islamic law.
In contrast, in a secular state, the primary duty and objective is to gain public satisfaction by securing the interests and welfare of society. In this model, public opinion is regarded as the principal criterion of governmental legitimacy.
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The Financial Powers of the Ruler
Because of his religious authority, the ruler in an Islamic state possesses broader financial powers. He may collect religious funds such as Zakat, Khums, and other religious revenues and spend them, according to his judgment, toward achieving religious and social objectives. This provides the religious state with greater freedom of action in economic matters and, consequently, in cultural and political affairs.
In contrast, in a secular state, the financial powers of the ruler are limited by regulations established in the constitution or by annual laws approved by parliament. Any violation of these limits may call the legitimacy of government officials into question and could lead to their removal from office.
Conclusion
The distinctions mentioned above represent some of the most important differences between an Islamic state and a secular/democratic state. They demonstrate that the Islamic state is a particular and unique form of government whose foundation rests upon the sovereignty of Allah and Islamic law. In such a state, the government and its rulers possess a degree of sacredness and spirituality.
As a faith-based state, the Islamic state derives its structure and character from belief and faith. However, describing such a state as faith-based does not necessarily mean that it is ideological, and there are distinctions between these two concepts that require separate discussion and explanation.
To be continued…
[1] Nisa: 65
