Political science: Political science is
social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, the
governments & the politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state.
Lexicographical
meaning: the term political science is ultimately related
to the words ‘politics’, which itself derives from the Greek words ‘polis’ that
means 1. City, or 2. City state
And
which are the general from of political organizations in ancient Greece. So we
can say that, political science is that which discuss about the problems of the
state.
Terminological
Meaning: we can give the terminological meaning of
political science by following three ways -1. Ancient terminological Meaning 2.
Modern terminological Meaning, 3.
According to Marian Outlook.
1.
Ancient
terminological Meaning,:- some of the ancient terminological meaning of
political science are given bellow
Paul Janet said- Political science is the
part of the social Science which treats of the foundations of the state and the
principles of government.
German
writer Garish said –Political science deals with origin, development, purpose
and all political problems of the state.
According to Gettell- Political science may be defines as a state science of the state.
According to Gettell- Political science may be defines as a state science of the state.
According to Garner-Political science begins
and ends with the state.
2.
Modern terminological Meaning,:- some of the modern terminological meaning of
political science are given bellow-
According to David
Easton-political science is the study of the authoritative allocations of
values as it is influenced by the distributions and use of power.
Encyclopedia Britannica –
political science is a term most broadly understood to mean the systematic
study of government process by the application of methods of political events.
3. According to Marian Outlook:- V.I.Lenin said- Politics is the relationships
among the classes.
From above definition of political science we can say that political science is that branch of social science which discuss about origin, development, political problems, political organizations, law, power, relation between person & state, classes & state etc by scientific method.
From above definition of political science we can say that political science is that branch of social science which discuss about origin, development, political problems, political organizations, law, power, relation between person & state, classes & state etc by scientific method.
Islamic Politics
Islam is a “total way of life.” It has provided guidance in every sphere of life, from individual cleanliness, rules of trade, to the structure and politics of the society. Islam can never be separated from social, political, or economic life,. The primary act of faith is to strive to implement God's will in both private and public life. Muslims see that they, themselves, as well as the world around them, must be in total submission to God and his Will. Moreover, they know that this concept of His rule must be established on earth in order to create a just society.
Islam is a “total way of life.” It has provided guidance in every sphere of life, from individual cleanliness, rules of trade, to the structure and politics of the society. Islam can never be separated from social, political, or economic life,. The primary act of faith is to strive to implement God's will in both private and public life. Muslims see that they, themselves, as well as the world around them, must be in total submission to God and his Will. Moreover, they know that this concept of His rule must be established on earth in order to create a just society.
Religion
and politics are one and the same in Islam. They are intertwined. Islam is a
complete system of life and politics is very much a part of our collective
life. Islam teaches us how to run a state, from a government, elect councilors
and members of parliament, make treaties and conduct business and commerce.
Bear in mind that Islamic ruling system is not the same as the ruling system we
have in the non-Islamic countries.
The political system of
Islam has been based on three principles, Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risalat
(Prophethood) and Khilafat (Caliphate). It is difficult to appreciate the
different aspects of the Islamic policy without fully understanding these three
principles.
Principles of Islamic
Politics
The Islamic Political System is based on the following main principles:
1. Sovereignty of Allah swt.
Sovereignty means the source of power. In Islam, Allah is the source of all powers and laws (3:154, 12:40, 25:2, 67:1). It is Allah who knows what is good and what is bad for His servants. His say is final.
All human beings untidily cannot change His law. The Qur’an says, "As for the thief -male and female, chop off their hands. It is the reward of their own actions and exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (5:37).
According to Islam, this order is unchangeable by any parliament or any government which claims itself to be Islamic (5:44, 2:229). There are many more laws in the Qur’an concerning our life and those laws must be put to practice by an Islamic state for the greater good of human beings.
2. Khilafah of Mankind (Vicegerency of man).
Man is the vicegerent, the agent or the representative of Allah swt on earth (2:30, 6:165). Allah is the sovereign and man is His representative. Man should do as Allah commands him to do. But he has a choice to either obey or disobey Allah and, because of this freedom of choice, he will be tested on the Day of Judgment. In the political sense, Khilafah means that human beings should implement the will of Allah on earth as His deputy or agent. As Allah’s agents, human beings will carry out the will of Allah swt on His behalf as a trust (Amanah). Khilafah is a trust. An agent is always expected to behave as his master wants him to behave (10:14)
3. Legislation by Shura (Consultation).
Islam teaches us to run a government, to make legislation and decisions by the process of Shura. Shura means "to take decisions by consultation and participation" (3:159, 42:38). This is an important part of the Islamic political system. There is no scope for despotism in Islam. The Qur’an and the Sunnah will be the basis of legislation in Islam.
4. Accountability of government.
The Islamic political system makes the ruler and the government responsible firstly to Allah and then to the people. The rular and the government are elected by the people to exercise ‘powers on their behalf. We must remember here that both the ruler and the ruled are the Khalifah of Allah and the ruler shall have to work for the welfare of the people according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. A ruler is a servant of the people of Islam. Both the ruler and the ruled will appear before Allah swt and account for their actions on the day of judgment. The responsibility of the ruler is heaver than the ruled. Any ordinary citizen of an Islamic state has the right to ask any question on any matter to the ruler and the government.
5. Independence of judiciary.
In the Islamic political system, the Judiciary is independent of the Executive. The head of the state or any government minister could be called to the court if necessary. They would be treated no differently from other citizens. The Qur’an has many injunctions about justice. One of the main functions of the Islamic state is to ensure justice to all citizens (4:58, 4:135, 5:8). The ruler and the government has no right to interfere in the system of justice.
6. Equality before law.
The Islamic political system ensures equality for all citizens before the law. It does not recognize any discrimination on the basis of language, color, territory, sex or descent. Islam recognizes the preference of one over the other only on the basis of Taqwa (piety or fear of God). One who fears Allah swt most is the noblest in Islam (49:13).
Verses From The Holy Quran
The political system advocated by Islam needs to be clarified. The modern Muslim scholars say that Islam is a democratic religion, yet many Muslim clerics today do not believe in democracy. I would like to discuss briefly what I feel is meant by Islamic democracy.
A few verses of the Holy Quran are presented here which give us the basics for Islamic political thought. In Sura Baqara (The Heifer) the Quran says: “And remember when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place a successor (Khalifa) on Earth” (2:30). This verse is about the vice-regency of Adam. Then again in the chapter The Heifer about Abraham the Quran says: “And remember when the Lord of Abraham tried him with certain commands which he fulfilled. Allah said to him, verily, I am going to make you a leader (Imam) of mankind. Abraham said, ‘And my offspring? Allah said, ‘my providence includes not the wrong-doers (oppressors)’”(2:124). This verse shows that divine leadership is not for transgressors and tyrants. It is for righteous and just people.
In Sura Saad the Quran says: “O, David! Verily we have placed you as a successor (Khalifa) on the earth, so judge between men with truth and justice.” (38:26). David was not only a leader or caliph or prophet but he was ruler as well. Hence according to the Quran a ruler must be truthful and just. It is the religious obligation of a ruler to provide justice to everyone irrespective of color, cult, class, country and creed. In Sura The Adoration while talking about the children of Israel the Quran says: “And we appointed from among them, leaders (Imams), giving guidance under our command, so long as they preserved with patience and continue to have faith in our signs” (32:24). Hence we see that patience and faith are the basic requirements for divine leadership.
In Sura Al-Qasas the Quran says: “And we wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them (Imams) leaders and make them heirs. (28:5). This verse shows that Allah condemns transgressors and oppressors and divinely helps the oppressed ones making them leaders and heirs on the basis of justice and piety. Then at another place the Quran alludes about divine rulers as a man of physical fitness and of knowledge. According to Sura The Heifer in verse 247 the Quran tells us about Jalut appointed as king because of his knowledge and physical prowess. The Shias consider Imam Ali fit for these merits.
In Sura Al-Nisa (The Women) The Quran says: “O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you” (4:59). The above cited verses give us the basics of Islamic political morality. These verses tell us that a leader or a ruler in Islamic state must be a man of certain qualities. Muslim political thinkers like Al-Mawardi and Ibu Katiba also write that a Muslim ruler must be a pious, knowledgeable and just man with administrative qualities. There are numerous sayings of the Holy Prophet that instruct us to obey the men of piety and virtuosity. The tyrants and evil-doers must not be accepted as leaders or rulers.
The Islamic state is a duty bound to implement the laws of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Qur’an strongly denounces those who do not decide their matters by Allah’s revelations (5:42-50).
The duty of an Islamic state is to establish Salah and Zakah; promote the right and forbid the wrong (22:44).
ConclusionThe Islamic Political System is based on the following main principles:
1. Sovereignty of Allah swt.
Sovereignty means the source of power. In Islam, Allah is the source of all powers and laws (3:154, 12:40, 25:2, 67:1). It is Allah who knows what is good and what is bad for His servants. His say is final.
All human beings untidily cannot change His law. The Qur’an says, "As for the thief -male and female, chop off their hands. It is the reward of their own actions and exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (5:37).
According to Islam, this order is unchangeable by any parliament or any government which claims itself to be Islamic (5:44, 2:229). There are many more laws in the Qur’an concerning our life and those laws must be put to practice by an Islamic state for the greater good of human beings.
2. Khilafah of Mankind (Vicegerency of man).
Man is the vicegerent, the agent or the representative of Allah swt on earth (2:30, 6:165). Allah is the sovereign and man is His representative. Man should do as Allah commands him to do. But he has a choice to either obey or disobey Allah and, because of this freedom of choice, he will be tested on the Day of Judgment. In the political sense, Khilafah means that human beings should implement the will of Allah on earth as His deputy or agent. As Allah’s agents, human beings will carry out the will of Allah swt on His behalf as a trust (Amanah). Khilafah is a trust. An agent is always expected to behave as his master wants him to behave (10:14)
3. Legislation by Shura (Consultation).
Islam teaches us to run a government, to make legislation and decisions by the process of Shura. Shura means "to take decisions by consultation and participation" (3:159, 42:38). This is an important part of the Islamic political system. There is no scope for despotism in Islam. The Qur’an and the Sunnah will be the basis of legislation in Islam.
4. Accountability of government.
The Islamic political system makes the ruler and the government responsible firstly to Allah and then to the people. The rular and the government are elected by the people to exercise ‘powers on their behalf. We must remember here that both the ruler and the ruled are the Khalifah of Allah and the ruler shall have to work for the welfare of the people according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. A ruler is a servant of the people of Islam. Both the ruler and the ruled will appear before Allah swt and account for their actions on the day of judgment. The responsibility of the ruler is heaver than the ruled. Any ordinary citizen of an Islamic state has the right to ask any question on any matter to the ruler and the government.
5. Independence of judiciary.
In the Islamic political system, the Judiciary is independent of the Executive. The head of the state or any government minister could be called to the court if necessary. They would be treated no differently from other citizens. The Qur’an has many injunctions about justice. One of the main functions of the Islamic state is to ensure justice to all citizens (4:58, 4:135, 5:8). The ruler and the government has no right to interfere in the system of justice.
6. Equality before law.
The Islamic political system ensures equality for all citizens before the law. It does not recognize any discrimination on the basis of language, color, territory, sex or descent. Islam recognizes the preference of one over the other only on the basis of Taqwa (piety or fear of God). One who fears Allah swt most is the noblest in Islam (49:13).
Verses From The Holy Quran
The political system advocated by Islam needs to be clarified. The modern Muslim scholars say that Islam is a democratic religion, yet many Muslim clerics today do not believe in democracy. I would like to discuss briefly what I feel is meant by Islamic democracy.
A few verses of the Holy Quran are presented here which give us the basics for Islamic political thought. In Sura Baqara (The Heifer) the Quran says: “And remember when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place a successor (Khalifa) on Earth” (2:30). This verse is about the vice-regency of Adam. Then again in the chapter The Heifer about Abraham the Quran says: “And remember when the Lord of Abraham tried him with certain commands which he fulfilled. Allah said to him, verily, I am going to make you a leader (Imam) of mankind. Abraham said, ‘And my offspring? Allah said, ‘my providence includes not the wrong-doers (oppressors)’”(2:124). This verse shows that divine leadership is not for transgressors and tyrants. It is for righteous and just people.
In Sura Saad the Quran says: “O, David! Verily we have placed you as a successor (Khalifa) on the earth, so judge between men with truth and justice.” (38:26). David was not only a leader or caliph or prophet but he was ruler as well. Hence according to the Quran a ruler must be truthful and just. It is the religious obligation of a ruler to provide justice to everyone irrespective of color, cult, class, country and creed. In Sura The Adoration while talking about the children of Israel the Quran says: “And we appointed from among them, leaders (Imams), giving guidance under our command, so long as they preserved with patience and continue to have faith in our signs” (32:24). Hence we see that patience and faith are the basic requirements for divine leadership.
In Sura Al-Qasas the Quran says: “And we wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them (Imams) leaders and make them heirs. (28:5). This verse shows that Allah condemns transgressors and oppressors and divinely helps the oppressed ones making them leaders and heirs on the basis of justice and piety. Then at another place the Quran alludes about divine rulers as a man of physical fitness and of knowledge. According to Sura The Heifer in verse 247 the Quran tells us about Jalut appointed as king because of his knowledge and physical prowess. The Shias consider Imam Ali fit for these merits.
In Sura Al-Nisa (The Women) The Quran says: “O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you” (4:59). The above cited verses give us the basics of Islamic political morality. These verses tell us that a leader or a ruler in Islamic state must be a man of certain qualities. Muslim political thinkers like Al-Mawardi and Ibu Katiba also write that a Muslim ruler must be a pious, knowledgeable and just man with administrative qualities. There are numerous sayings of the Holy Prophet that instruct us to obey the men of piety and virtuosity. The tyrants and evil-doers must not be accepted as leaders or rulers.
The Islamic state is a duty bound to implement the laws of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Qur’an strongly denounces those who do not decide their matters by Allah’s revelations (5:42-50).
The duty of an Islamic state is to establish Salah and Zakah; promote the right and forbid the wrong (22:44).
The state is responsible for the welfare of all its citizens - Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It must guarantee the basic necessities of life. All citizens of the Islamic state shall enjoy freedom of belief, thought, conscience and speech. Every citizen shall be free to develop his potential, improve his capacity, earn and possess. A citizen shall enjoy the right to support or oppose any government policy which he thinks right or wrong with the following in mind. The Islamic state shall ensure a fair distribution of wealth. Islam does not believe in equal distribution as it is against the law of creation.
Mahbub Ratul
Jagannath University (JnU)
https://www.facebook.com/akla.pathik11
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