Following the series of goals of the Islamic political system that were examined in the previous two notes, a few more that will be mentioned in this note will complement and conclude this discussion:
11. Meritocracy
The Islamic system includes a transcendent goal aimed at ensuring human happiness in this world and the world after death. Achieving this goal requires comprehensive knowledge and awareness, recognition of the path, quality of movement, and the ability to manage complexities until reaching the destination. The government, as a social institution responsible for overseeing human affairs and creating a platform for growth, determines various duties and specifies criteria for qualifications necessary to fulfill its role.
In a healthy society, only those who possess the necessary qualifications and competence should assume social and managerial responsibilities. The Holy Quran, through the daughter of Prophet Shuaib, states: «قالت إحداهما يا أبت استئجره إنّ خير من استئجرت القوی الأمین» “One of the two [daughters] said: ‘O father, employ him, for the best person you can employ is someone capable and trustworthy.'”
Additionally, in the story of the selection of Talut, it is stated: «وقال لهم نبیّهم إن الله قد بعث لكم طالوت ملكا قالوا أنّی يكون له الملك علينا ونحن أحق بالملك منه ولم يؤت سعة من المال قال إن الله اصطفاه عليكم وزاده بسطة فی العلم والجسم»; “And their Prophet said to them: Allah has chosen Talut as your ruler. They said: How can he rule over us when we are more worthy than him and he has no wealth? [The Prophet] said: Allah has preferred him over you and has given him superiority in knowledge and physical strength.”
In these verses, merit is identified as the criterion, which includes knowledge and leadership capabilities. Accordingly, meritocracy, or the observance of competence and suitability in holding government positions, is a rational principle. Any society that aspires to the happiness and well-being of its people follows this rule. Religious teachings have also repeatedly emphasized this principle, recommending that matters be entrusted to competent individuals and warning against delegating responsibility to the unqualified.
12. The Origin of Service
In the Islamic system, power and government are not ultimate goals but rather a means to achieve lofty human and divine objectives. In the view of the prophets and saints, government gains value only when it provides a basis for reform and service to humanity. Power-seeking and selfishness are never compatible with these values.
The saints regard government as worthless if it does not lead to a godly purpose and serve the people. Therefore, the ultimate goal in Islam is to serve the people and implement justice.
13. Universality
The political system of Islam transcends a specific time frame, such as the era of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafai Rashideen), as well as limited geographical boundaries, such as the Arabian Peninsula. It is introduced as a religion for all humanity throughout history.
The Quran’s addresses to “people” testify to this fact: “Say: O people, I am only a clear warner to you.”
This address encompasses all times and places, extending the mission of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) to all people: «قل ياأیها الناس إنی رسول الله إلیكم جميعاً» “Say: O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.”
Politically, the Islamic system seeks to spread the rule of divinely exalted values over all humanity and aims to liberate the oppressed from the dominion of their oppressors.
The Holy Quran also states, emphasizing the commonalities among monotheistic religions: «قل یاأهل الكتاب تعالوا إلی كلمة سواء بیننا وبینكم ألّا نعبد إلا الله ولا نشرك به شیئاً ولا يتخذ بعضنا بعضاً أرباباً من دون الله» “Say: O People of the Book, come to a word that is common between us and you: that we worship none but Allah alone, and that we associate none with Him, and that we take none as protectors besides Allah.”
Thus, the Islamic system, by accepting differences and disagreements, is a universal religion with the potential to organize all of humanity. This inclusiveness has propelled the political system of Islam beyond geographical, racial, linguistic, and even creedal limitations, transforming it into a comprehensive model for all humans.
Conclusion
Based on the Islamic worldview and its perspective on the world and humanity, government in this life-giving school is a tool for human development. The goals and duties prescribed for the Islamic state are defined within this context. Undoubtedly, many of the goals or duties of the Islamic state are also present in other government systems, but their definitions and examples may differ across these systems.
In socialist views that emphasize the “primacy of society,” the goals and duties of the government are delineated by focusing on the rights of society and individuals’ responsibilities towards it. Conversely, in liberal systems that prioritize the “primacy of the individual,” society is regarded as a conventional and unreal entity, and the government’s goals and duties are framed within this theory, wherein intervention in individual affairs is minimal.
In Islam, both the individual and society hold significance. Therefore, the goals and duties of the Islamic government are defined in a manner that guarantees the rights of individuals toward society and the rights of society toward individuals. In this context, human perfection is regarded as the foremost objective of the government. The central responsibility of the Islamic government is to foster a society where moral and human virtues underpin social relations.
Another exalted goal of the Islamic government is the realization of justice. The growth and development of society hinge upon the establishment of justice, and only a just government can guide society toward perfection. Establishing justice necessitates creating conditions that nurture moral virtues and educate individuals. Thus, the Islamic state is obligated to enact just laws and implement them rigorously.
Freedom is also recognized in both its formative (freedom) and legislative (legal freedom) dimensions. The duty of the Islamic state is to guarantee and establish freedom so that individuals can make informed choices and enjoy their legitimate freedoms. Accordingly, any form of oppression, whether through hard or soft power, is categorically rejected.
An Islamic society is one in which security is established on both internal and external fronts. Security forms the foundation for the effective implementation of laws, the cultivation of human relationships based on justice, and the enhancement of moral virtues.
Moreover, Islam acknowledges human social perfection from a material perspective; this corresponds to the concept of development in contemporary discourse. In a developed Islamic society, individuals experience welfare and divine blessings in accordance with their human dignity, alongside spiritual growth and moral virtues.
In summary, the goals of the Islamic state are framed around achieving human perfection, establishing justice, ensuring freedom, providing security, and fostering sustainable development—goals that, by emphasizing the synergy between the individual and society, pave the way for happiness in this world and the hereafter.
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