A MATTER OF UNDERSTANDING AND DISCUSSION FOR EVERY MUSLIM

AROUND THE WORLD.

NOTE FOR CORRECTION:
AL-MAWARDI, AL-GHAZALI and IBN-KHULDOON did not present any theory but
defined the features of an Islamic State and the characteristics of Islamic Rulers.
Farabi also defined the vision of the Global Islamic State presented by Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In fact, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal is the only theorist to be called as he
presented the idea of an Islamic State as a political solution for Muslim and nonMuslim communities. His Two-Nation Theory is a synonym or a redefinition of the
State of Madinah established by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
THE PRESENTERS OF ISLAMIC THEORIES
Correction: The following were not the presenters of a theory but they defined an
Islamic State according to their understanding of Shariah.
Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi (350-436 A.H/972-1058 A.D age 86)
was the first political thinker in the history of Islam. He was from Shafai fiqh.
(Correction: The course book says 364 A.H/975 A.D
whilehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Al-Mawardi mentions 448 after Hijra and
Wikipedia says 972 A.DThe first Hijri year was 622 A.D. The difference between
972 and 622 is 350, which means he was born in 350 A.H)
Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Ahmed alGhazali (436-489 A.H/1058-1111 A.D age 53) was born near Tus in Iran. He wrote
many books on political issues out of which Ihya-ulUloom/The Revival of Religious
Sciences was his masterpiece.
Abu Zaid Abd ar-Rahman ibn Khaldun (710-784 A.H/1332-1406 A.D 74) was born at
Tunis in an Arab family. He was a historian, a political scientist, a scholar of Islamic law
and the founder of the sciences of civilization or umran (as he called a new science)
now known as sociology. (Correction: The course book says 724 A.H while Wikipedia
and http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ik/klf.htm say 732 A.Hthe difference between
1332 and 622 is 710 which means he was born in 710 A.H)
Were these three the only political scientists or experts of Muslim ummah who dared to
present a present the theory of an Islamic state? Al-Mawardi appeared as the first
political thinker of Islam after a gap of more than three hundred years after the death of
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in 10 A.H/632 A.D. What were the Muslims doing during
that time? 1406 to 2010 604 years have passed idleor do we know any grand
personalities who have made achievements on scholarly basis and gained international
fameAllama Iqbal (1255-1316 A.H/1877-1938 A.D age 61), Maulana Mawdudi
(1903-1979 A.D age 76), Hurun Yahya, Shiekh Hamza Yusuf.. got a new name
Hammad yousuf from Pakistan (http://metaexistence.org/timeline3.htm) as the
philosopher and founder of MetaExistence school of thought and the presenter of a new
political system against the Western one but couldnt find more about it.
The fact is that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the first political scientist and founder of
a Islamic state. Then the first four caliphs contributed politically to improve the system
and so on.

Al-Mawardi, Al-Ghazali and Ibn-Khaldun Can Allama Iqbal be counted as the fourth
political scientist/political thinker, why or why not? He wasnt only a poet or a thinker or
a philosopher. He was a scholar of Quran as he explained it in poetic form and that
distinguishes him from all other scholarsa better scholar that he argued with his father
regarding the change of faith and convinced him. He knew the languages. He knew
the history. He was a political scientist, the presenter of a political theory.the
ideology which helped in forming the worlds largest Islamic state. The whole
political movement of Pakistan was based upon his theory.
The spirit of 1947 can be revived not only by remembering and mourning over the
sacrifices of the common Muslims, but also by recalling the theory, the ideology, by
discussing different aspects of the movement in the classrooms.
THE FEATURES OF AN ISLAMIC STATE BY THE THEORISTS
Principles/features of an Islamic state/caliphate/imamate according to Abul Hasan Ali
ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Muhammad
bin Ahmed al-Ghazali and Abu Zaid Abd-ar-Rahman ibn-Khaldun.
Al-Mawardi:
1) Sovereignty belongs to Allah (SWT), His laws should be imposed so the justice, truth
and goodness prevail. 2) Khalifah/imam governs the state as the successor of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). 3) Khalifa/imam is responsible to impose Shariah, so Muslims can
freely practice their faith, can be protected from their enemies. (Al-Mawardi thinks that
khilafat replaces prophecy to defend faith and administer the world to guidance. IbnKhaldun disagrees with him on this point).
Election of imam/caliph Al-Mawardi has set the qualifications for an imam/caliph to be
elected. 1) He upholds justice under all conditions. 2) He has knowledge of religion and
has the interests and policy of the Muslim community. 3) He is physical fit and healthy,
not disabled. 4) His physical organs are in a state of coordination. 5) His wisdom can
be trusted. 6) He is brave enough to wage jihad against infidels. 7) He must be a
descendant of Banu Quresh, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Mode of election The imam/caliph may be elected by the electoral college which
consists of the persons who are present in the capital. OR He may be nominated by the
ruling imam who may nominate his son, father or a relative (if they are qualified).
Duties/functions of the imam 1) He must uphold the Islamic Shariah. He should try to
correct the ones who innovate in religion or corrupt the religious matters. 2) He must
dispense justice and settle cases according to shariah. 3) He must maintain law and
order in the country, for the growth of economic activities and for peoples safety. 4) He
must enforce Quranic criminal code so people know their limits (hudood). 5) He must
defend the borders of the Islamic state from external invasion. 6) He must establish the
supremacy of Islam over other religions and creeds. He can undertake jihad against
those who oppose Islam. 7) He is responsible to collect zakah and kharaj. 8 ) He
should manage to pay form Baitul-maal to those who are entitled for. 9) He should
appoint honest men to assist him in the office and manage the affairs of Baitul-maal.
10) He should direct the national policy for nations interest. He can delegate his duties
to trustworthy men and find himself luxury and religious devotion. (This last point is
searched as if imam is incapable of executing his duties, he can delegate his duties to
new imam or he can be replaced by a new imam through electoral process.)

Deposition of imam/caliph 1) He can be deposed if a change in his moral status is

witnessed as *if he surrenders before his immoral desires and dishonour shariah or *if
he distorts the principles of shariah. 2) He cannot continue his leadership if he suffers
bodily defects *loss of senses and/or mental ability to run the office *loss of physical
organs (becomes disabled) *he becomes a prisoner or his powers are seized by his
staff.
Al-Ghazali
According to him, khilafah/caliphate is a divine state and Allah (SWT) is the Supreme
Authority. Thus His divine laws should rule. He thought khilafah is necessary to protect
Muslims religious, social and political rights and from internal conspiracies and external
invasion. His definition of khalifah as khalifatulllah was an innovation in a sense that
the four earliest caliphs, Khulaf-e-Rashideen, never claimed to be Khalifatullah but
Khalifatur-Rasool (the successor of the Prophet).
Duties of khalifah/caliph 1) He must be able to wage jihad. 2) He should discharge
the duties of his office directly or indirectly through experts and ministers. 3) He should
have knowledge for the purpose of ijtihad along with consultation of religious experts.
4) He must be pious for to carry one his office as a political and religious entity. 5) He
must establish justice and settle cases with fairness. 6) He must have knowledge of
shariah and wisdom to endorse it as the rule of law. 7) He should be a practical Muslim
and must show a reliable Muslim character. 8 )He must be aware of the official matters
and the performance of his administrators. 9) He should seek aid from the men of
calibre to speak about the affairs of the state. 10) He must keep his morality and should
avoid immoral practices.
Ibn-Khaldun:
He derived four kinds of state or governmental systems as they had developed in the
history of Islam.
1) Khilafat/caliphate The ideal Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) under divine guidance and maintained by Khulafa-e-Rashideen. Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) was the law-maker and set the rules of Shariah for peoples welfare
in this world and salvation in the Hereafter. The khilafat had two forces; the Prophetic
Shariah and asabiya (to be explained presently). The asabiya would become inactive if
the law-giver eliminated it.
2) Mulk under Shariah This form of government gradually lost the inward
characteristics of khilafah. Though in early times (right after khilafat-e-rashida) state
was governed by the rules of Shariah, but the electoral process of khalifah was effected
by the family dynasties, loyalty to tribes and clans. That gradually caused a great harm
to the image of true Islamic caliphate. Shariah became the matter of science and
instruction while the state was ruled under the authority of the ruler.
3) Mulk under the Siyasa Aqlia This type of government cannot be called an Islamic
State but a Muslim State. Finally the Islamic state had turned into an absolute
monarchy as the ruler had become the supreme authority to rule and to use military
power to extend the frontiers. The burden of royal expenses and military expeditions
was covered by imposing taxes on the people. Religion had no role in political affairs

and was left for religious scholars to discuss and solve the religion-based matters. This
form of government had no resemblance to the original form of caliphate.
4) Siyasa Madaniya A hypothetical form of government presented by Al-Farabi and
ibn-Sina. Ibn-Khaldun disregarded it as it never existed in human history.
My Notes:
1) The course book doesnt even define what form of government is the fourth one. It
never existed though but didnt Ibn-Khaldun know that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had
prophesied about such form of government and any prophecies of the Prophet (pbuh)
cant be categorized as hypothetical. The world will be ruled under Islamic Shariah.
2)So the Islamic State/caliphate in its true meaning (as a divine state to be governed
under the rules of shariah) lost its soul right after Ali ibn-Abi Talibs martyrdom. The
later styles of caliphate could distinguish between the ruler and his administrators,
religious personalities and common people. This style led Muslims towards
monarchy/imperialism, which finally caused the end of Muslim caliphate.
3) That lost soul of khilafah, for centuries, is in search of a territory, which is acquired in
the name of God, where peoples will is to live according to Gods will and where people
want to be governed by pious, honest, sincere, brave, wise and educated bunch of
administrators. If Prophet had said so, all lands will finally provide that body. (der kiyon
lug rahi hay, kiyon people of the world have decided, laaton say hi maan kay dain gay)
4) Allama Muhammad Iqbal was also the presenter of the theory of an Islamic State,
literally a practical one. This could be Allamas big fault to choose his happy birth to be
after ibn-Khaldun in a non-Arab descent, otherwise his theory would have been the part
of the Islamic history and thus the part of the curriculum of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Summary: Al-Mawardi, Al-Ghazali and ibn-Khaldun they agree that an Islamic state
should be a divine state and it should be ruled under the divine laws. A Muslim ruler
must be a lover of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He must be a pious person, honest in
his duties, sincere towards the people and wise and educated enough to handle the
state affairs. He must establish justice without any discrimination and should maintain
law and order for peaceful environment. He must be a guardian of the rights of
minorities. He must be a brave man, must not surrender himself to non-believers and
must keep an army alert to fight against the invaders. And its a common sense that the
ruler should not continue in case of any physical and mental defects, involvement in
corruption or obvious moral principles that are not allowed in Sharia.
If Abu Nasr Muhammad Al-Farabi (259-339 A.H or 872-950/951 age 79/80) was the
one who gave the ideal of ruling the world under one government, his theory should be
the part of our curriculum too because that is what that hasnt happened and can be
worked on. I personally think that the followers of dajjal got this idea of ruling the world
from Al-Farabi and that is why they dont want Muslims to study it.
He (Al-Farabi) presented some rare original ideas to political science, which have still
not been realized. He held that if someone embodying all the qualities is not available,
then the state should be governed jointly by a group of rulers of particular qualities. This
theory presaged the present system of having council of ministers to run the
administration. taken from. http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/archive/index.php/t10234.html
THE NATURE OF AN ISLAMIC STATE (IN GENERAL)

An Islamic state is a system of government which is based upon the principles of

Sharia set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The first Islamic state was
established in Medinah in 622 A.H by the Prophet himself as he migrated from Makkah
to Medinah and all the residents and migrants mutually accepted him as their ruler.
Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the final prophet of God, after his
demise, his companions continued the system as his followers and the Islamic state got
the title of caliphate. So caliphate is an institution in which a Muslim personality of high
profile rules according to Quran and sunnah as the follower of Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him). The caliphate is the symbol of the unity of Muslim nations around
the world. The period of 632 -661 A.H was ruled by Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Al-Khattab,
Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with them all) respectively.
This period is called Khilafat-e-Rashida.
Later on, from 661- 1346 A.H (March 3, 1924), different Muslim dynasties ruled over
Muslim territories. Sultan Abdul Majid son of Sultan Abdul Aziz from Ottoman Dynasty
was the last caliph of Islamic caliphate. His rule ended on March 3, 1924 when a Turk
general Mustafa Kemal Ata-Turk abolished the caliphate and became the first Turk
president.
A very few Muslim individuals or groups in different countries since then have
proclaimed to be the caliphs for the sake of revival of Islamic caliphate but couldnt
succeed. However, the global domination of Islam or a global Islamic caliphate is
already prophesied by the Prophet(pbuh).
The nature of Islamic state:
The sovereignty of God, the message conveyed by all the prophets, is the foundation
of the system. Legislation contained in the Quran becomes the basic law of the state.
This puts the fundamental law of the society beyond the lobbying power of particular
interest groups and ensures that legislation is just and equitable. The government must
make decisions on the basis of what God has revealed. If it does not, according to the
Quran it is not Islamic, for those who make decisions on other than what God has
revealed are unbelievers (Surah Al-Maida 44). In cases not covered by revelation,
decisions based on Islamic principles ar left to the Mujtahids, Islamic experts on legal
interpretation. The Muslims can make laws or regulations dealing with such matters,
but these do not have the same permanence as Quranic injunctions taken
from http://www.islamfortoday.com/cleland04.htm
The concept of an Islamic state, is of a territory that is governed according to the will of
Almighty God and where people regardless of any differences live in a peaceful
environment and enjoy their rights as per granted by Allah (SWT). Following are the
elements/features/characteristics/principles of an Islamic state.
Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: I will create a vicegerent on earth.Surah AlBaqarah 30
In general, all human beings are Allahs viceroy, thus they all responsible to establish a
system under His divine laws.
1. Sovereignty of Allah Believing in Allah (SWT) as the Supreme Authority in all
matters is the foundation of an Islamic state. Allah is self-sufficient and His being and
work is free from all faults. Everything and everyone depends upon Him for their
existence and sustenance. His divine law should be the law of His land like it is in the

the rest of the universe. So basically an Islamic state is a divine state where Allah
(SWT) is regarded as the only Sovereignty over all.
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth,- let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah
for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens
and the earth: It is He Who gives Life and Death; and He has Power over all
things He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full
knowledge of all things...He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days,
and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of Authority). He knows what enters
within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what
mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that
ye do To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: and all affairs are
referred back to AllahHe merges Night into Day, and He merges Day into Night; and
He has full knowledge of the secrets of (all) heartsSurah Al-Hadeed 1-6
2. Khalifah/Caliph A form of government which is founded upon Islamic Sharia is
called khilafah/caliphate. The head of the state/ruler/commander is called
khalifa/caliph, ameerul muminee or imam. He must be the true follower of Prophet
Muhammad (S.A.W). A wise, pious man who could be trusted for guarding the Islamic
constitution (divine laws) and ensures its imposition. He is also the symbol of Muslims
unity and brotherhood. He can be held accountable by the judiciary, just like an
ordinary person, if found guilty of error/crime.
3. Consultation (Shura) An Islamic state is not a dictatorial kind of government. It is
a system where all state and public affairs are handled and accomplished by the mutual
consultation of the wise and educated representatives of people. These
representatives are elected on merit. The criteria for merit is also prescribed by Sharia.
Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their
affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for
Sustenance;Surah Shura 38
4. Obedience of the ruler (Ulul-amr) The citizens of an Islamic state must obey their
ruler/khalifa in all the matters that are not contrary to Islamic Sharia. They have a right
to submit their doubts or complaints against khalifa or other officials in judicial courts.
They will be punished if they disobey the ruler or break laws.
O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with
authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His
Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable
for final determinationSurah An-Nisa 59
5. Equality/Equal Opportunity Islam denounces discrimination on the basis of race,
colour, cast, creed, language, faith, and nationality. Islam believes in human rights for
each individual present there within the boundaries of an Islamic state. The authorities
and majority are guardians of the rights of minorities and are not allowed to interfere in
there religious and personal matters.
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you
in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is
well-acquainted Surah Al-Hujraat 13

6. Justice Rule of law and safety of peoples life and property regardless of any
differences is one of the main objectives of an Islamic state. All are equal before the
law and the court cannot make distinction between elite and poor, the less privileged
Muslims and non-Muslims. All citizens are assured of the freedom to move around and
enjoy their rights. They can approach the judicial courts for fast and fair justice to solve
their disputes.
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against
yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for
Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if
ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye
do Surah An-Nisa 135
7. Welfare State/Social Welfare The state is responsible for the well-being of every
citizen and for the proper provision of basic necessities to them. The social welfare is
maintained through collection of zakah. Zakah is the yearly tax imposed upon Muslims
on their savings. Khilafah is an institution where religion and politics are not considered
separate and khalifa/caliph/ruler/head is an authority over both terms, thus the
government is authorized to collect zakah and distribute it according to the rules of
sharia.
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is
righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and
the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for
orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of
slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which
ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and
throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing Surah
Al-Baqarah 177
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for
those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and
in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and
Allah is full of knowledge and wisdomSurah Tauba 60
8. Amr bil maroof wa nahi anil munkar The head of the state is ordered to follow
the rule of amr bil maroof wa nahi anil munkar meaning order people to do good and
stop them from wrong and punish them if they dont. It is to create an environment
where people are persuaded to live in harmony, behave nicely, control their anger
through sermons and/or public speeches. Children are trained to develop such a
character from homes and educational institutions. The purpose is to reduce the rate of
home-based or street crimes and stop people from harming each other.
You are the best community that has been raised for mankind. You enjoin good and
forbid evil and you believe in Allah Surah Al-e-Imran 110
The believers, men and women, are protectors of each other; they enjoin what is right
and forbid what is evil Surah Tauba 71
The hypocrites, both men and women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the
wrong and forbid the rightSurah Tauba 67
Note The course books do not explain the characteristics/features of an Islamic state
as they are mentioned above. #2 Khalifah/Caliph is replaced with caliphate because it

doesnt make sense to include caliphate as an article of the complete institution which is
caliphate. The references from Quran and ahadith are missing in three books that I
have referred to.
Thus, an Islamic state or khilafah/caliphate is comprised of these eight
features/characteristics; Sovereignty of Allah, Khalifa/ruler, consultation, obedience of
the common Muslims towards their khalifah, equality, justice, welfare, amr bil maroof
wa nahi anil munkar. (do correct me if this is wrong).
Objection: As a Pakistani, we believe that Pakistan is naturally an Islamic state. It has
lost the true identity and couldnt proceed in the right direction as must have been the
dream of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam. The reasons are enormously numerous. Out
of them, one is our poor and abnormal educational system. The book writers seem
highly obsessed with ancient foreign systems, most systems are proven dead.
Students cannot be blamed, even teachers do not take interest in explaining such
boring, dull and dead theories for the whole year. The curriculum does not include
anything that can help a student developing positive thoughts about Pakistan.
This is very much unfair to include as a major part of the curriculum of political science,
the centuries old ideologies and theories that most of them are irrelevant in todays
political environment.
Herbert Spencers organic theory, Bluntschlis idea of state as a personified masculine,
jusristic theory of the personality of state presented by Treitschke, Bluntschli, Jellinek
and Maitland, Rousseau, Jhon Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Bertrand de Jouvenel and
hundreds more.. they might be good to be studied in extra timings, but dont deserve
to be the part of the course book to occupy few chapters.
While the relevant content is not even mentioned in the book anywhere. Allama Iqbals
theory/ideology of an Islamic state, his political thoughts, Quaid-e-Azams
understanding of Iqbals theory, his political efforts and strategies to prove it to be a
practical one. What kind of state is Pakistan? What features are missing and why, that
can make Pakistan an ideal Islamic state?