Aftab, in my humble opinion, before we go into the discussion of election vs selection, let us first determine some basic things
1. What is the purpose of Islamic state?
In my opinion Islamic state is not a community whose population is mainly Muslim, but rather one whose legal order is based on and derived from the principles of the Islamic law. But then, the question arises would you use force to impose Islamic laws on non muslims? or would we govern non muslims according to their religious laws, Like afte Gazwa e Khandaq jews were dealt with using jewish laws.
2. Differentiate between Islamic state and Muslim Ummah
3. Scope of powers (authority) of the islamic state, develop consensus between the state and the citizens.
4. How to give ligetimacy to the leader of this Islamic state? (Election or Selection)
5. Role and obligations of the state
6. Role and obligations of the citizens of Islamic state
7. Relationship between state and different institutions of the state.
I am not a student of Political Science or Islamic Jurisprudence, I am just thinking out loud. Please feel free to comment, add or delete any thing from the above list. I think this can be an interesting discussion.
Dear Brother Ali,
I highly appreciate your intention to further explain basics things, here i would like to explain what you are asking;
1. What is the purpose of Islamic state?
The 1st thing is that, in any state to apply islamic law, Majority is not compulsory but it is complusory that muslims have dominant power in that state. Other religions will be free to follow their law in family matters and socially, but not at state level.
2. Differentiate between Islamic state and Muslim Ummah ?
islamic state is a country/state where islamic law is in power and practice and Muslim ummah is group of all Muslim states. but its not compulsory that all muslim states follow islamic law (in modern senerio) so as a whole All muslim countries refer to term Ummah. Ummah is a term not a state.
3. Scope of powers (authority) of the islamic state, develop consensus between the state and the citizens?
The scope of power of any islamic state is to rule country under islamic laws and the rulers are consider as public servents. Consensus will be develop automatically when islamic law is in work.
4. How to give ligetimacy to the leader of this Islamic state? (Election or Selection)?
There will be no any selection at any level, ligetimacy will be determine by Public opinion and then by elected leaders to re-elect supreem leader. but note that there will be no opposition party but every single person have right to stand against any leader's or supreem leader's decision in a special corut.
5. Role and obligations of the state ?
Role is to Follow islamic law and obligation are countless. state is responsible for every thing that comes under law and state is responsible to every person in the state.
6. Role and obligations of the citizens of Islamic state ?
Every citizen is responsible to follow all applicable law, Also they are responsible to completly coopreate with supreem leader or head of the state that can be a president. I can't detail all obligation as there is lot more, on family level, social level, nation level, Ummah level and religious level.
7. Relationship between state and different institutions of the state?
State is major body and institutions are supporting instruments, but on state level judiciary is considar as supreem power in Islamic law, then enforecement agencies are directly under judiciary and not under president. President is not authories to change or imend any law in any case.
Thank you for your comments and if any thing in your mind please feel free to ask.
Aftab Hussain
