Controversial Questions about Islam

What is the Islamic Political System?
Controversial Questions about Islam and Comments
Any system is composed of two parts: the content (the principles)
and the forms, or procedures. Islam sets the comprehensive
necessary principles of the social institutions (associations, private
organizations) and the political (public organizations). But it did not
make any specific form binding on them and left that to Muslims in
the different ages and areas to choose what suites their reality and
circumstances. (1) God approved inheritance of authority, and did not
forbid it. For God says: {And Solomon was David’s heir. He said:
O you people we have been taught the speech of birds and on us has
been bestowed (a little) of all things. This is indeed grace manifest
(from Allah)} (2) The efficient, detailed forms and procedures are
usually a result of the interaction between the principles and reality.
The degree of interaction varies according to the different aspects of
life, and it is greater in the political arena than in the others.
In other words, Islam does not encourage or discourage the
hereditary system or the system that depend primarily on election,
as long as the government submits to the Will of Allah represented
by the Holy Quraan and the Prophetic traditions.
Islam encourages organizations, to assign a leader for any group,
even one of only two members which, is clearly demonstrated in its
rituals; and it encourages unity. Allah commands: {And hold fast all
together by the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves.} (3)
It also encourages positive cooperation between people in general.
Allah commands: {Help each other in righteousness and piety. But
do not help one another in sin and rancor.}( 4 ) It also encourages
people to cooperate in the fields of mutual interests. The best
example of this is the treaty signed by the Muslims, the Jews, and
the polytheists in Medina at the time of the Prophet (pbuh).
Concerning their content or the principles, there are actually
(1) Asad pp. 53-56; al-Awa pp.66-68.
(2) Holy Quraan 27: 16.
(3) Holy Quraan 3: 103.
(4) Holy Quraan: 5: 2.
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