Politics in islam

It is The if note that the basic meaning of politics is to stand for what protect your interest; be it you striving to protect your personal interest, or that of your family, to the commonest one of people having someone to protect your interest at Local, National or Global level.

It was reported in the two foremost sacred books of hadiths by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Al-Muslim; On the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

كَانَتْ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ تَسُوسُهُمْ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ، كُلَّمَا هَلَكَ نَبِيٌّ خَلَفَهُ نَبِيٌّ

"The Israeliest were being governed by the Prophets; anytime a Prophet dies, another replaces him".

That is, Prophets they can always count upon to protect their interest from their Creator; they took care of their affairs as the princes and and rulers do with parish. Someone who is to them, a counsellor, a preacher, etc.

And don't be surprised that Allah blessed Israelites a great deal!

For a scenario: in our tertiary institutions, students need to get something from the school management and it is practically impossible for each student to meet the VC individually. What do we do? We have a representative in terms of the Students' Government.

For us to know the position of rulers in Islam, who ascend the position of authority through politics, Allah says in Q4:59;

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ

"O ye who believe, follow Allah and His Messenger, and *and those in the position of authority*... "

...definitely not when you're commanded to go against your creator.

That shows Islam places premium on leadership in Islam as backed up by several ahadiths too.

Politics is an integral part of the Islam and their is no difference between politics and religion.

However, what is the correct/ideal political environment in Islam?

By reading from history axioms, we needn't any super formula to formulate that the Prophet, peace be upon him, established an Islamic State and ruled over this state as the President and Ruler. This has never cause a debate among the Ummah.

However, which mechanisms did the Prophet used in his sovereign? There are tons of evidences which point that his Prophethood merited him the Imammate over the state and that gave him the legitimacy to exercise his right. Why? Because the message he brought was sufficient for him and he did not need any pledge or contract to establish legitimacy for him.

What are the evidences for this?

The Prophet appointed heads that deputised for him over several tribes, villages and towns to raise his message to the people. He never feared a bit as these deputies had pledged allegiance to him based on their belief.

Another evidence is that the Prophet was issuing rulings on people domiciled in other countries entirely which indicates that his sovereignty is one that had the largest circumference of influence, as he was sent to all mankind.

All these evidences and others, show that political sovereignty of the Prophet was simply achieved by just believing in him and made them - the people of that time, and us - consent to his political imamship.

As pointed out earlier, the prophethood of our Noble Prophet gave him the legitimacy of being a political ruler. How about the rightly guided caliphs? How did they ascend the sovereignty?

On this, let's analyse their ascension to the throne as a concept of leadership in Islam under politics, viz;

Concept of Leadership in Islam

Islam places much emphasis on this concept such that if three people are going on a journey, they should appoint a leader among themselves (an hadith).

Definition: Leadership

+ Is the capability of a person to lease a cluster of individuals for completion of a certain specified mission, grooming their followers with the aim of success, so that no flaw can be created.

+ This is one of the main reasons why the Prophets sent some Sohabas to head regions e.g. Mu'adh - Sham, as stated above.

How to choose a leader in Islam

+ Al-Ijma'a (Consensus): whereby majority of Muslim appoint someone as a leader e.g, the appointment of Abu Bakr after the Prophet passes away.

+ Shuuroh (Consultation) from prominent selected few e.g the choice for 'Uthman Bn 'Afaan when 'Umar was about to die.. The Shurroh included the likes of Abdulrahmon Bn 'Awf, Aliyu etc.

+ A leader to choose his successor (with absolute sincerity) e.g Umar was appointed by Abu Bakr when the latter was about to die after having make necessary findings.

Looking carefully at the politics played out here, it behoves us to point out that all actions was to place ultimate premium on the interest of the governed.

Now, the question is: were any of them elected to office by every Tom, Dick and Harry?

It is worthy of note that in politics, the moment election - in form of democracy - sets in will definitely signal the start of atrocities that is well known among our political environment. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Alright. "...by the people"? By having their own set of injunctions which is not in tandem with what Islam preaches? This is where scholars have issues with it.

Remember that Islam and politics are inseparable. However, can we participate in election-ridden politics? Can a faithful Muslim be a part of the current political environment even with all the obvious? Can a conscious Muslim survive this topsy-turvy political terrain without compromising his religion? All these are rhetorical that beg your answer, individually. And I'm pretty sure there'd be a common factor and a base line for all the answers.

May Allah grant us beneficial understanding of His deen.