Islam_in_Focus_text

5. The ruler, any ruler, is not a sovereign over the peo
ple. He is a representative employee chosen by the people
and derives his authority from his obedience to the Law of
God, the Law which binds the rulers and the ruled alike by a
solemn contract over which God is the Supervisor. The po-
litical contract of Islam is not concluded between the admin-
istration and the public alone. It is between these cornbined
on one side and God on the other, and it is morally valid and
binding only as long as the human sides fulfill their obiiga-
tions to the Divine. The rulers who are chosen by their peo-
ple to administer the Words of God are entitled to support
and co-operation from the public inasmuch as they observe
the very Words of God. Should the public or any member of
society fail to render support to and co-operation with such
administrators, their act would be considered an irresponsi-
ble offense against the administration as well as against God
Himself. Likewise, if the administration swerves from the
Path of God or fails to observe His Law, it is not only com-
mitting a like offense but also has no right to the support and
loyalty of the public. The Qur'an says:
''O you who believe! Obey God, and obey
the Messenger (of God) and those charged
with authority among you. If you differ in
anything among yourseives, refer it to God
and His Messenger, if you do believe in