Form and principles of Islamic Government

[Sandila]

Form of Islamic Government:

It should be remembered that Islam does not prescribe any particular form of government for an Islamic State. From the Holy Quran and the Sunnah we can, however, discover some basic principles which should characterise the government in an Islamic State. Subject to these principles the people of an Islamic State are free to establish any form of government which they consider suitable to their needs and circumstances. This reminds one of Pope's verse:

"For forms of government let fools contest, whatever is best administered is best."

Principles of government

As a matter of fact, Islam is interested more in the substance than in the form of government. Some of the principles which should characterise government in an Islamic State may be listed as follows:

1. As God is the Sovereign of the Islamic State, and He is the Most Powerful, the government in an Islamic State must be powerful, strong, and stable and able to deliver. It should inspire confidence both within and without.

2. As the basic doctrine of an Islamic State is Tauhid, or unity of God, government should be organised and made to function in such a way that it promotes unity among the people, and discourages all divisive tendencies

3. As government in an Islamic State is to be carried on behalf of God, the best available talent should be entrusted with the task of government. In democratic countries where power vests in the people, governments are constituted on the basis of the concept "Any man, any job". In an Islamic State where- all power belongs to God, Who is all perfection, governments will have to be constituted' on the basis of the concept "Right men for the right job". Government in an Islamic State must be manned by the most talented, efficient, and righteous persons in the country.

4. As in an Islamic State every person is the vicegerent of God, it is necessary that government in such a state should be carried to the door steps of the people, and should provide for the maximum involvement of the people in the affairs of the State.

5. As all authority in an Islamic State is to be exercised as a trust it is necessary that some effective checks and balances should be provided within the structural framework, so that the government is prevented from becoming despotic.

6. In an Islamic State, government has to be run on the basis of consultation. It is therefore necessary that in an Islamic State process of consultation should be institutionalised, and the best available persons competent to offer counsel are associated with the affairs of the State.

7. In democratic states through party system, and other devices, governments exploit the differences among the people, and enforce their decisions based on the force of majority. In an Islamic State government have to base their decisions on the basis of consensus and the highest common measure of agreement with the people.

8. In secular states governments are constituted to exercise power in their own right. Government in such states is therefore exploitative in character. In an Islamic State, government is constituted to execute a trust, and is basically welfare oriented.

9. Government in a secular state is guided by consideration of expediency, and is not subject to any moral restraints. Government in an Islamic State is ideological in character and is to be motivated by principles and moral values.



From S.M Shahid' Work

[jawaadalishah]

Will somebody guide me about my choice of subjects that is it good to go with these subject in CE 2016 ?

1 IR 200
2 Int - LAW 100
3 Islamic History and Culture 100
4 Gender Studies 100
5 Punjabi 100

or if any body suggest me some other choice of subject ???