Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 30)
Islamic Government and Sovereignty
In an Islamic government, the situation is not the same as in a theocracy. An Islamic ruler must govern within a defined framework. He has no right to impose his personal desires upon the people and attribute them to Allah (SWT). Rather, he must implement only the laws and commands revealed by Allah (SWT), rather than, as in a theocracy, declaring what Allah (SWT) has made lawful to be unlawful or what He has made unlawful to be lawful.
An Islamic ruler has no right to act according to his personal wishes. He neither has the authority to alter divine rulings nor may he legislate without Allah’s permission. In practice, he must operate strictly within the framework of Islamic principles.
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Characteristics of Theocracy and the Islamic Perspective
During the Middle Ages, according to the theory of theocracy, the ruler was considered accountable only to God, not to the people. Under such a system, no specific conditions were established for the king, nor was any definite program or framework provided for how he should govern.
This idea meant that political power was not effectively constrained either by religious institutions or by civil and social institutions. As a result, government became vulnerable to corruption and the abuse of power.
In an Islamic government, however, the situation is entirely different. An Islamic ruler is accountable both to Allah and to the people. Furthermore, the Qur’an commands people not to follow unjust leaders and rulers—those who spread corruption in society and fail to reform the affairs of the people. [1]
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The Relationship Between the State and the People
In Islam, the relationship between the state and the people is based on mutual rights and responsibilities. In contrast, under Western theocracy, the king was regarded as possessing rights, while the people were merely obligated to obey.
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The Status of the Islamic Ruler
In Islam, a ruler has no inherent superiority over others: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى… [] Translation: O humanity! Indeed, we created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.
The leaders and rulers of the Muslim community regard themselves as servants of the people, rather than rulers over the people. Authority in Islam is based upon hearts and faith, rather than mere political domination. This fundamentally differs from papal rule, the churches, and even democracy.
Characteristics of Divine Sovereignty
In the Islamic system, sovereignty belongs to Allah (SWT), and legislation is determined solely by Him, rather than according to the preferences, wishes, or personal inclinations of the ruler. As Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an: “وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ الْأَقَاوِيلِ لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِالْيَمِينِ.” [Al-Haqqah 44-45] Translation: “And if he had attributed some sayings to Us that he had invented, we would certainly have seized him by the right hand.”
He also says, “إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَى” [ Translation: “It is nothing but revelation that is revealed.”
These verses clearly state that the source of legislation in Islam is divine revelation, not human will or desire. In contrast, during the Middle Ages, Church laws were largely formulated according to the wishes and preferences of religious authorities. This contributed to widespread dissatisfaction and public opposition.
To be continued…
[1] [Ash-Shu‘ara: 151–152].
