Beliefs

Definition Of An Islamic Government

An Islaamic government is that government which rules in accordance with the laws of the Shariah. The Shariah of the government must be Islaam, and their laws must also be based on the Shariah. The government must also regard as utmost importance, the observance of the Islaamic Shariah, and they must also openly profess this. The Khalifah and Ameer of the Muslims must also be such a person who as the representative of the Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), runs and governs the country in accordance to the Shariah.

The Definition Of Khilaafat-e-Rashidah

If any government administers the country in accordance to the teachings of Nubuwwat, then that government is regarded as being on Khilaafat-e-Rashidah.

The reason is that any government that governs in strict accordance to the teachings of the Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), then that government is rightly guided (Raashidah).

A Khalifah-e-Raashidah is that person who is an example of the Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) in his actions, knowledge, fear of Allah Ta`ala and Taqwa. The king (Khalifah) must be an obedient Muslim and internally he must have the qualities of a great Wali. His Wilaayat must be a reflection of the Nubuwwat.

If the government=s administration and planning is not run in accordance to the example of Nubuwwat, but there exists justice, fairness and trustworthiness in that government, then we will call it a just government, but if the government is oppressive and tyrannical, then it is a called a tyrannical and despotic government.

Explanation:

For a government to be classified as an Islaamic government, this condition is added that it must openly profess and proclaim that its Mazhab is Islaam. It is not sufficient to be regarded as a Muslim country if the ruler is a Muslim. The mazhab (rules of the goverment) of that country must be declared Islaamic. Until the government does not declare that it is Islaamic, i.e. it rules in accordance to the Laws of the Shariah, then such a government is not classified as an Islaamic government.

Like nowadays, we have the glut of national, democratic, etc. governments. Such governments are not Islaamic governments. Those governments that do not give preference to the Law of Allah Ta`ala and they say that they are a government for the people by the people (National governments, etc.), such governments are not Islaamic governments, but they are rather governments of kufr.

There is no law, except Allah's. Those who do not rule in accordance to what Allaah has revealed, indeed they are the Kaafiroon...

What doubt is there to the kufr of that group that does not regard following the rules of the Shariah as imperative?

The Muslim Ruler

The Islaamic ruler is that person who believes and accedes to the fact that Allah Ta`ala is the True Master of the universe, and he rules and administrates the country as befitting the deputy of Allah Ta`ala=s servant, Muhammadur Rasulullaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), by bringing into effect and implementing all the Laws of the Shariah. Hence, one of the first conditions for the ruler of an Islaamic country is that he is a Muslim and that he believes in Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) as the last of all Nabis. It is obvious that a person who refutes, falsifies and denies the Seal of all Nabis (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) can never be his deputy.

Just as a person who will never qualify as the ambassador or minister of any western government, if he does not accept their concept of government, or if he does not accept their way of governing and administration, or if he is a rebel or traitor. Such a person will never be able to be a confidant of that government.

For the validity of a Muslim ruler, the condition of the ruler being as the deputy of Nabi (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) is placed for this reason that the difference between the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam) and the Khulafaa becomes apparent, because the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam) are regarded as the deputies of Allah Ta`ala. As Allah Ta`ala says regarding Hadhrat Aadam (alaihi salaam): And (remember) when your Rabb said to the angels: >Surely, I will make in the world a Khalifah... .

Hadhrat Dawood (alaihi salaam) was also the deputy of Allah Ta`ala: O Dawood, indeed We have made you a Khalifah in the world, thus rule between the people with justice... .

The Khalifah of Islaam is the deputy of Nabi Muhammad (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam). As the deputy of Nabi-e-Kareem (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam), he is supposed to rule strictly according to the Shariah. If any country professes by tongue only that they are a Muslim country, but they consult with irreligious people and implement such laws and statutes that are clearly against the Qur`aan Majeed, Sunnat and the Ijma of the Ummat, then such a government is a government of hypocrisy. The leaders of such governments are very akin to the kuffaar. In relation to the matters of the Aakhirah, there is no difference between them and the kuffaar. But, since they profess with their tongues that they are Muslims, their kufr is hidden. Their outward appearance of Islaam is merely so that they inter-relate with the Muslims, whereas in the Hereafter, they will remain in the depths of the Fire of Jahannum, with the kuffaar, therein will they dwell forever. Since, we are unaware of the condition of hearts and the Hereafter, we will leave their matter and final outcome in the Hands of Allah Ta`ala, Who is the Knower of hearts and the Unseen. Because of their outward profession of Islaam, we will take them to be Muslims and deal with them as such.

Such leadership is poisonous to the Deen of Islaam. It is Fardh, according to the Shariah and rational reasoning, to vehemently oppose and thwart such a government, provided one has the surety or at least a good possibility to establish another proper Islaamic government after the removal of the deviant one. One must be sure or at least reasonable certain that the government that will replace the ousted one will be a proper Islaamic one and that it will have the interest of the Deen and the Muslims at heart, and that it will be beneficial and procure social peace and security. This ousting and degradation of the deviant leadership will be a lesson for future deviant leaders. It should not be, that one replaces the former oppressive government with one like it or worse.

O Allaah! Save the Muslims and Islaamic governments from the evil and fitnah of avaricious leadership and following. Aameen, Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen, Wa Yaa Akramal Akrameen.

O our Rabb, do not make us a fitnah for an oppressive nation and save us through Your Mercy from the nation of Kaafireen.