© Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project 1995-2021. In this way the meaning of worship is fulfilled. Characteristics or Attributes of Sovereignty: According to Dr. Garner, following are the characteristics or attributes of Sovereignty: (1) Permanence. The political system of Islam has been based on three principles, viz., Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risalat (Prophet hood) and Khilafat (Caliphate). (3) All-Comprehensiveness. This right vest only in God Who has created us endowed us with mental and physical faculties, and provided all material provisions for our use. Thus, work becomes one with rituals; rituals one with settlement on earth; settlement on earth like strive for Allah’s cause; strive in the way of Allah like patience in bearing calamities contentedly in the knowledge that they are part of Allah’s plan; all these are instances of worship of Allah. Woman’s honor and chastity are worthy of respect under all circumstances. Again, Islam is a practical religion and does not allow indulgence in empty and futile theorising. And all these concepts are epitomised in the Kalimah: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is His Prophet.”, George Bernard Shaw is reported to have said: “I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. Hypocrisy Sovereignty in Islamic State. It derives its authority directly from the Shari’ah and is answerable to God. Absoluteness is an important attribute of sovereignty which means that there are no limitations what so ever on the sovereignty of the state. I will, therefore, begin with a brief exposition of them. Following are the some important features, attributes & characteristics of sovereignty. Islam is the religion of truth. In short, sovereignty in Islam does and can belong only to Allah and none can claim to be sovereign. c)                       Belief in Life after Death and in man’s accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgement. The role of Khilafat is definitely an integral part of meaning of worship. In Islam the judiciary is not placed under the control of the executive. He is the Lord of the Universe, which He Alone sustains. I demonstrate empirically that not all Islamic law states view international settlement venues in the same way. proper development and progress both of Body and Personality. Allah has prescribed a certain code of life as the correct one for him, but has, at the same time, conferred upon man freedom of choice as to whether or not he adopts this code as the actual basis of his life. The Origins of the Islamic State: Sovereignity and Power in the Middle Ages conference was hosted by the UCL Institute of Archaeology on the 16 th –17 th of February, 2017. All rights reserved. (4) Inalienability. A unique feature of Islam is that it does not divide life into watertight compartments of matter and spirit. Characteristics of Sovereignty: The following are the major characteristics of sovereignty: The first characteristic of sovereignty is absoluteness. Both these attitudes have spelt disaster. There is no hierarchy of priests, no far-fetched abstractions, no complicated rites and rituals. "Christianity erred on one extreme; modern Western civilisation, in both of its variants of secular capitalistic democracy and Marxist socialism, has erred on the other.”, According to Lord Snell: “We have built a nobly-proportioned outer structure, but we have neglected the essential requirement of an inner order; we have carefully designed, decorated and made clean the outside of the cup; used our increased knowledge and power to administer to the comforts of the body, but we left the spirit impoverished.”. The concept of sovereignty—one of the most controversial ideas in political science and international law—is closely related to the difficult concepts of state and government and of independence and democracy. Every one of them said:  “I am to you Allah’s apostle, worthy of all trust. A State which is inhabited predominantly or even entirely by Muslims is. The main characteristics of islamic political system are: Sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone. '” [Quran: 2:201], Allah strongly censures those who refuse to benefit from His blessings. The persistent demand made by Islam is that the principles or moral in must be observed at all cost and in all walks of life. We witness a superbly flawless plan in the universe - can it be without a Planner? Two terms traditionally used in the Islamic world are sometimes translated as philosophy—falsafa (literally: "philosophy"), which refers to philosophy as well as logic, mathematics, and physics; and Kalam (literally "speech"), which refers to a rationalist form of Islamic theology. Any other use of the hosted content, such as for financial gain, requires express approval from the copyright owners. Thus, Islam does not admit any separation between “material” and “moral”, “mundane” and “spiritual” life, and enjoins man to devote all his energies to the reconstruction of life on healthy moral foundations. It is this Khilafat on earth which encompasses the range of activities of this human being. They have looked upon the world as an illusion, a deception and a trap. External Sovereignty– This refers to the power of the state to run its affairs without any form of foreign interference. In a sovereign state, the state's government has the authority to independently make decisions. Individual, Communal, National, Family Dynasty etc. There is no difference at all between a Muslim and Dhimmee in respect of the civil or criminal law. Imam is the leader of a country who runs administrative tasks of a country. Everybody may approach the Book of Allah directly and translate its dictates into practice according to the proper understanding of the Quran and Sunnah (the way of the Prophet . It says that faith is not a mere profession of beliefs; it is the very mainspring of life. The Objectives and Characteristics of the Plan, Distinctive Features of Islamic Moral Order. What distinguishes Islamic democracy from Western democracy is that while the latter is based on the concept of popular sovereignty the former rests on the principle of popular Khilafat. The political system of Islam has been based on three principles, viz., Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risalat (Prophet hood) and Khilafat (Caliphate). 29 A noteworthy earlier discussion of the idea of the sovereignty of God in the context of Pakistani constitutional debates is Ahmed, Manzooruddin, Pakistan: The Emerging Islamic State (Karachi, 1966).This book is based on the author's PhD dissertation titled “The Concept of Divine Sovereignty in Pakistan,” Columbia University, Department of Political Science, 1960. This purpose is achieved when man fulfills his function and is missed when man fads to live up to his designated role. The Concept of sovereignty in the western countries is totally contrary to Islamic concept of sovereignty. Islam has also laid down certain rights for the non-Muslims who may be living within the boundaries of an Islamic State and these rights must necessarily from part of the Islamic Constitution. So be committed to Allah, heed Him, and obey me.”. All the teachings of Islam follow from those basic beliefs and are simple and straightforward. It imposes similar obligations on the state as on the individual. It has two aspects: internal and external. : a)                       Belief in the Oneness of Allah; b)                       Belief in the Prophethood of Muhammad and in the Guidance which he bequeathed; and. If he fails to live up to one of the conditions stipulated for his eligibility to the office, the nation has the right to overrule his judgment either by correcting him or by deposing them. In brief this task requires the implementation of Allah’s way which is in harmony with the Divine Law governing the whole universe. He is not only creator of the universe, He also possesses the absolute sovereignty over it. The code of behaviour and the law which is used to decide the rightness or otherwise (Halal and Haram) of any particular thing, is given by Allah through the Prophet and is known as the Sharee’ah (the path). Statehood Sovereignty: Western & Islamic Concepts 77 and to God what was to God.6 Thus a nation-state was tried to make a unit which being sovereignty is independent and does not recognize any above authority or come under it, a notion which has been challenged in theory and practice. We observe wonderful design in nature -  can it be without a Designer? An islamic state must be founded upon the law laid down by the God, through his prophet (PBUH). The Principles of Early Islamic Politics Sovereignty has been determined as a factual characteristic of the state power that consists of its legal limitlessness, i.e. The way Islam explains the concept of sovereignty, it is completely different from the western ideas and notion of sovereignty. An islamic state must be founded upon the law laid down by the God, through his prophet (PBUH). When Muslims arrive at holy places of Makkah through Umrah Package, they announce Sovereignty of Allah Almighty. The concept of sovereignty is based on two realities first that Allah is the Creator, the Supporter, the Master and Sovereign over the whole universe including man second that man is a humble servant and vicegerent representative of Allah on the earth and obeys the laws of His sovereign for their own benefit. Parliament 2. Viz., to fulfill all contracts and obligations, to have uniform measures and standards for dealings, to remember duties along with the rights and not to forget the rights of other when expecting them to fulfill their obligations; to use power and authority for the establishment of justice and not for the perpetration of injustice; to look upon duty as a sacred obligation and to fulfill it scrupulously; and to regard power as a trust from God and use it with the belief that one has to render an account of one’s actions to Him in the Hereafter. The idea of sovereignty is a contemporary concept, born with the contemporary state. Truly, Allah Says (what means): “O mankind! Internal Sovereignty– This is the absolute power of a state to make and enforce law within its area of jurisdiction. It would be always be problematic to posterize such a terrible notion as “terrorism” and put it side by side with a noble concept as in “Islam”. 1. One, who chooses to follow the code, revealed by Allah becomes a Muslim (believer) and one, who refuses to follow it, becomes a Kaafir (disbeliever). We see great enchanting beauty and harmony in its working -  can they be without a Creator? The Guidance is revealed through the Prophets. Tawheed (Oneness) means that one God alone is This is the basic tenet to which Prophet Muhammad asked humanity to adhere. It is difficult to appreciate the different aspects of the Islamic policy with- out fully understanding these three principles. The Quran says (what means): “And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah…” [Quran: 4: 64], And about the last Prophet it is explicitly stated that: “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” [Quran:4:65]. Further, the Prophet of God has, in accordance with the intention of the Divine Book, set up for us a model of the system of life in Islam by practically implementing the law and providing necessary details where required. He created man and appointed for each human being a fixed period of life, which he is to spend upon the earth. It means that there is only One Supreme Lord of the Universe. With this healthy frame of mind, based on the right understanding on man’s role in this universe, man becomes ready to implement Allah’s teaching, as communicated through the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The basic Islamic concept is that the whole universe was created by God, whom Islam calls “Allah” and who is the Lord and the Sovereign of the Universe. He created man and appointed for each human being a fixed period of life, which he is to spend upon the earth. However, the Islamic State, comprised of and supported by multiple, overlapping, transnational civil societies, seeks to have its territorial sovereignty respected even as it rejects the Westphalian system. son is resident within the territory of the Islamic state or outside it, whether he is at peace with the state or at war. Thus, the meaning of worship must be extended to go beyond mere rituals into all activities since Allah does not only call upon us to perform rituals but His injunctions regulate all aspects of life. In this Tutorial we shall study the Following :Meaning of Sovereignty;Definitions of Sovereignty; Aspects of Sovereignty. It consists in settlement on earth, exploration of its resources and energies, fulfillment of Allah’s purpose of making full use of its resources and developing life on it. “Sovereignty is the complete and independent political power that a country has to govern itself” (Chambers Essential Dictionary). A man joins the fold of Islam by honestly believing in and professing faith in the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention). God alone is the Sovereign and His Commandments are the Law of Islam. Allah is sovereign, because He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omni competent and Omnipresent. (2) Exclusiveness. Sovereignty, in political theory, the ultimate overseer, or authority, in the decision-making process of the state and in the maintenance of order. Life, in all its multifarious forms, our physical organs and faculties, the apparent control which we have over everything that exists in this universe, and the things themselves none of them has been created or acquired by us in our own right. This is how Islam brings man out of the world superstition and darkness and initiates him into that of Knowledge and Light. Nothing is out of His command. Belief in one ALLAH No one is equal to or superior than him He owns the supreme sovereignty. Thus the basic articles of Islamic faith are three, viz. This is a very widely known concept, and many Islamic scholars have advanced the Islamic concept of Shura as evidence for Islam’s democratic credentials. He created man and appointed for each human being a fixed period of life that he is to spend upon the earth. Whether it be the mutual relations of the rulers and the ruled within the state, or the relations of the state with other states, precedence must always be given to truth, honesty, and justice over material consideration. According to Islamic political thought, Almighty Allah is the lord of the whole universe. As Allah Says (what means): “Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah – indeed it is in the remembrance of Allah alone that the heart of man finds rest –those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return:” [Quran: 13:28-29]. Thus the second basic postulate of Islam is to believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad to accept the religion which he presented and to follow his commands and his example. It is difficult to appreciate the different aspects of the Islamic policy with- out fully understanding these three principles. has said the following: “He who leaves his home in search of knowledge walks in the path of Allah.”  [Tirmithi & Daarimi]        “To seek knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.” [Ibn Majah & Bayhaqi] “Acquire knowledge, because he who acquires it in the way of the Lord, performs an act of piety; he who disseminates it, bestows alms and he who imparts it to others, performs an act of devotion to God.”. Islam awakens in man the faculty of reason and exhorts him to use his intellect. 3. Keeping this outline in view the Islamic state can plan its welfare program in every age and in any environment. As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to Allah - that is why it is called Islam. IMPORTANT : All content hosted on Al-Islam.org is solely for non-commercial purposes and with the permission of original copyright holders. Worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous – [He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. He is Omnipotent, Omni-present and the Sustainer of the world and of mankind. It is imperative to turn to Allah dedicating to Him every stir of one’s conscience, every fluttering of the senses, every movement of life. (5) Unity. The original Muslim literature is in Arabic, the Prophet's language. A French scientist, Dr. De Brogbi, rightly says: “The danger inherent in too intense a material civilisation is to that civilisation itself; it is the disequilibrium which would result, if a parallel development of the spiritual life were to fail to provide the needed balance. The medium through which we receive the Law of God is known as “Risalat” (Prophethood). The state in Islam is not intended for political administration only nor for the fulfillment through it of the collective will of any particular set of people; rather, Islam places a high ideal before the state for the achievement of which, it must use all the means at its disposal. The Holy Qur’an clearly states that the aim and purpose of this state is the establishment, maintenance and development of those virtues, with which the Creator of this universe wishes the human life to be adorned and the prevention and eradication of those evils the presence of which in human life is utterly abhorrent to God. It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, sick persons or the wounded. It is the embodiment of the code of life, which Allah, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, has revealed for the guidance of mankind. It enjoins him to see things in the light of reality. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much-needed peace and happiness: I have prophesised about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.”. Its teachings are simple and intelligible. Arlicle (l) Limitations of the Constituent Assembly and Legislatures . The in- junctions of God and His legislative body can make any alterations or modifications in them or make any law repugnant to them. The principle of Allah’s sovereignty does not recognise the possibility of dictatorship, absolute monarchy or autocracy in an Islamic State.
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