Difference between the Islamic System and theocracy
There is disagreement about which of the world’s political systems the Islamic system falls into. Some consider it a type of theocracy or divine and religious government; because from the perspective of Islam, the only one who is worthy of sovereignty is the creator of the system of existence and the universe, and he is none other than Allah, the Almighty. For this reason, the basis of the Islamic political system is based on the sovereignty of God (Allah) and in this respect it is similar to theocracy.
However, the Islamic system has many differences from the theocracy experienced in the West. In Christianity, there was no specific program for politics and government. For this reason, kings and religious leaders formulated laws and decrees based on their own views and introduced them as divine decrees. These people considered themselves immune from error and mistake, and did not accept criticism and advice from others. Criticizing them was considered equal to criticizing God (Allah).
This religious monopolization and tyranny gradually paved the way for autocracy and dictatorship. The result of this process was the establishment of inquisitions, which led to countless atrocities and widespread oppression. Ultimately, such governments brought theocracy into disrepute and evoked memories of tyranny, cruelty, and terror in the minds. This experience paved the way for the formation of democracy based on secularism. Secularism separated religion from politics, removed morality and religion from social life, and limited it only to the hearts of religious individuals.
Definition of Theocracy
Theocracy is a Greek word that is formed from the combination of the two words “Theos” meaning God (Allah) and “krasia” meaning ability or government. This term is used to mean “government by God (Allah)” and in which a certain group of people rule on behalf of God (Allah). In societies where theocracy prevails, rulers are publicly seen as representatives of God (Allah).
Theocracy usually refers to a type of religious government in which rulers derive their legitimacy from God (Allah) and present themselves as representatives of God (Allah). These rulers allow themselves to make laws on behalf of God (Allah) and force the people to follow them. In this system, anything may be declared lawful or unlawful according to the taste of the ruler, and this is presented as divine law.
The term theocracy is most often used in connection with the rule and domination of the church in the Middle Ages. At that time, Christian popes, claiming to represent God (Allah), ruled the people and made and implemented laws in accordance with their interests. This tyrannical rule in the name of religion had taken away all the freedoms and rights of the people. For this reason, the rule of the church in the Middle Ages is also known as the “rule of the clergymen.”
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