Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 29)
Quranic Teachings on Divine Sovereignty
The Holy Qur’an, regarding the rejection of worship directed to anyone other than Allah (SWT) and the attribution of the administration of affairs and sovereignty exclusively to Allah Almighty, states: “وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ لَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ” [al-Qisas: 88] Translation: “Do not invoke any other deity besides Allah; there is no deity except Him. Everything is bound to perish except His Face. Judgment belongs to Him alone, and to Him you will all be returned.”
Therefore, believing in anyone other than Allah (SWT) with regard to the administration of affairs and sovereignty is a deviation from the truths of the heavenly religions. We cannot, based on the concept of divine representation, regard the erroneous conception that was supported by followers of Christianity during the Middle Ages as an example of religious government.
Of course, the issue of “divine representation” is completely different from the position of “divine vicegerency” emphasized in the Holy Qur’an. The complete vicegerency of human beings never means that any part of the system or realm of existence becomes devoid of Allah, the Most Pure, nor does it mean that humanity is granted the status of divinity or lordship.
This is because the absence or limitation of Allah and the independence of human beings in administering affairs are inconceivable. A weak and incapable human being is unable to manage even his own affairs, let alone manage the affairs of others. The foundation of proper governance and the exercise of authority can only be realized when they are in accordance with the legislative will of Allah.
Therefore, justifying the divine nature of sovereignty solely on the basis of Allah’s creative will is incorrect.
In Islam, legitimate sovereignty is founded upon the following principles:
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Faith
Rulers must first possess faith in Allah.
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Values
They must implement and preserve divine values.
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Legislation
They must establish legislation on the basis of divine Sharia as the standard.
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Administrative Framework
They must manage affairs within the framework of divine religion.
In Islam, human sovereignty is defined within social relations, not in the relationship between human beings and Allah. This sovereignty does not permit human beings to consider themselves independent of the divine will.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ” [al-Anfal: 24] Translation: “O you who believe! Respond to Allah and the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.”
“وَمَنْ يُسْلِمْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى” [Luqman: 22] Translation: “Whoever submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good has indeed grasped the firmest handhold.”
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ” [al-Ahzab: 36]. Translation: “It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have any choice in their affairs.”
“فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ.” [al-nur: 63] Translation: “Let those who disobey his command beware, lest a trial befall them or a painful punishment afflict them.”
Therefore, members of the Islamic Ummah establish all elements of their social and political life, based on rational needs and the teachings of religion, upon the foundation of divine sovereignty and divine legislation.
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The Medieval Church and the Concept of Power
During the Middle Ages, the Church regarded government as its exclusive right and claimed that “government” had been granted to it by God, while the methods and details of exercising that authority were considered matters for the Church.
The power of the Church was not limited to obedience to laws; rather, it governed as it wished. Even when oppression and injustice were committed, they were attributed to God, and the Church considered itself a representative of divine sovereignty. The people, in turn, regarded themselves as obligated to obey.
To be continued…
