Political establishment in Islam

18-9-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

According to Moulana Maudoodi and Sayyid Qutub we should work for the political establishment of Islam. But the site www.understandingislam.org has a different opinion. Under the heading of political issues it says that we do not have to emulate Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in the political establishment of Islam. They say that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) is a Messenger and like other Messengers they have Divine Books, Hijra and Shariah. They are guided in their mission by Allah. All Messengers are Prophets but all Prophets are not Messengers. What we have to do is Da'wah to Muslims and non-Muslims and not political establishment of Islam as it is the duty of only Messenger. Which opinion is correct? Hope you will answer this question.

---

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The establishment of the Islamic State (Caliphate) is an obligation on all Muslims. With the existence of an Islamic State, Shariah (Islamic law) will be put to practice on the earth, justice and equity will be guaranteed, good will be enjoined and evil will be forbade. These requirements are immensely needed in every place and time. So how can it be thought that it is the duty of the Prophets only? It is true that the Prophets are guided by divine revelation from Allah, but the revelation with which they were guided still exists among us - the Holy Qur'an and the Noble Sunnah (Prophet's Tradition). As for the present day's crises that befall the Muslims, they can be practically dealt with through the principles and rulings that Islam has set. Such principles are appropriate enough to solve whatever problem or crises Muslims face in their life. No doubt, calling to Allah's religion (Islam) and teaching the Muslim Ummah (community) the creed and set of values and principles our Salaf (first righteous generation) lived with are among the most essential means to achieve the establishment of the Islamic State. What seems to be understood (Allah knows best) from some people's assumption that the duty of Muslims is to call to Allah's Path rather than to establish the Islamic State is that those advocates of this assumption aim at the undertaking of the legal means by which that goal (Islamic State) is to be achieved without haste in reaping the fruit, which may lead to undesired consequences. If that is what they mean regarding the establishment of the Islamic State, then their view is right. As for saying that every Messenger is a Prophet and that not every Prophet is a Messenger, it is true. Allah knows best.