How to establish an Islamic state



Quantum Note



Dr Muzaffar Iqbal

The first Islamic state, founded in Madina some fourteen hundred and twenty-six lunar years ago, came into existence through a process that had deep historical roots in the Prophetic tradition. Every Prophet before Muhammad (SAW) had followed the same procedure: an invitation to their people, especially the high and mighty of the land, to accept the message brought by the Messenger. This message asked them to follow a certain mode of behaviour and code of conduct and to establish justice in the social, economic, and political domains. The Prophet of Islam -- may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him -- spread his message in Makkah for thirteen long years but only less than a thousand individuals accepted it. He could not establish a state in Makkah, but his migration to Madina in September 622 led to the emergence of the first Islamic state within a short time. This first Islamic state remains an ideal for Muslims, both in the manner in which it came into existence as well as for what it was.

It must be noted that this state was not established by decrees, long marches, the passage of laws, or by imposing measures such as the length of one's beard; rather, it emerged organically through the transformation of men and women who lived in Madina at that time. This transformation was an inner process, no doubt accompanied by dramatic changes in outward appearance, behaviour, conduct and inter-personal relationships, but nevertheless, was an inner process that changed the worldview and priorities of these men and women. Their life-goals, ideals and desires were so transformed that they now looked at this earthly life as a preparation for a life in the Hereafter that was to last forever. This reorientation was so total and fundamental that it altered their entire life -- from the way they earned their living to the way they dressed, married, made friends, did commerce, and travelled.

The emergence of this first Islamic state was a veritable historical process that can be revisited by any objective historian. This state did not come into existence overnight; it took almost a decade to come into existence, but once it had emerged, it was so strong that within the short span of fifty years after the death of the Prophet -- upon whom be peace -- its borders had expanded to include Central Asia on the one hand and much of Africa on the other.

This expansion was not without its own problems and turmoil, and most Western historians and Islam-bashers find nothing but internal strife and disharmony in the era subsequent to the Prophet of Islam, but such analyses overlook the human condition which by its very nature cannot be free from strife, conflicts and disharmonies. What remains an unchangeable historical reality, however, is the fact that an Islamic state emerged in Madina within a short period of one decade and its emergence and subsequent expansion transformed the lives of millions of human beings by making them part of a new social, political and economic order in which the consciousness of the Hereafter was the supreme reality. Since our focus here is on the procedure through which an Islamic state emerges, we will not discuss the multiple ways in which the various institutions of the Islamic state support this supreme concern with the Hereafter, but suffice to say that every state supports a certain vision of life for its populace and an Islamic state, by definition, is a state that promotes and encourages an Islamic vision of life, based on the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the most Noble Prophet.

Our main question is: how can an Islamic state come into existence in our own times? Based on what has already been said, it must be clear that an Islamic state cannot be established; it must emerge through a guided process on the pattern of the Prophetic model. This is such an obvious and clear procedure that every Muslim thinker concerned with the matter has been led to the same conclusion over the last fourteen hundred years. The procedure adopted by the Prophet of Islam -- may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him -- involved the transformation of a small number of men and women to a life completely dedicated to the Creator, followed by the spread of this new vision of life to a (still not too large) community of believers. Once this core group has emerged, it acts positively under the command of its leader to alter the larger social, political, and economic realities. This process inevitably leads to a confrontation with the existing social, political, and economic order. This is the most critical stage in the emergence of an Islamic state. It is at this stage that the mettle of the leader of the Islamic movement as well as that of the small core community is tested. Whenever and wherever the leadership has remained certain of the truth of the message of Islam and has behaved with patience and perseverance, an Islamic state has emerged.

Almost all Muslim thinkers of the last century clearly spelled out this procedure for the emergence of an Islamic state in our times, but none has been able to lead the process to a successful end except for Imam Khomeini. His success, and the failure of leaders like Sayyid Abu'l-Ala Mawdudi and movements such as the Ikhwan al-Muslimeen, provide an excellent source for understanding the procedure for the emergence of an Islamic state. These will be explored in subsequent columns, but it must remain perpetually clear that the Islamic state that comes into existence through this procedure is not a state that enforces Islam, rather, it is a state in which Islam is lived. Of course this state establishes laws according to the Divine Writ and it promotes good and prohibits evil -- but all states establish some kind of laws and promote some kind of values they deem to be good and prohibit others that they deem to be evil, the difference is in the origin of these laws and values. In an Islamic state, the principles for legislation originate in the Book of Allah and the practice of His most Noble Messenger.

(To be concluded)

Assalam Alaikum,

Brother NHpaki, I can't express my gratitude enough for you to share this wonderful piece with us all.

You know, it is very ironic to see the outcome of all these great movements that could've changed the face of the Muslim World. Organizations like Ikhwan Ul Muslemin, Jammaat e Islami, and most definitely the guardians of the Islamic revolution.

Iranian Islamic revolution is something I admire very much, because not only they came in power but maintained it over the years, and doing good for their people within thier own capacity.

Whereas Jammaat, and Ikhwaan have become a victim to the secular forces within their countries. But one very important thing that I should mention is the example of Mr. Naimat Ullah Khan, he is the guy who proved to the rest of the world that when MULLAH's are brought into power, they are the source of positive change in society. I salute him for that.

As for the Ikhwan Ul Muslemin, with my limited participation in the Islamic organizations here, I have come into contact with some of its outspoken members, and I'd say that was quiet an experience. They are just awesome people, and hope they will bring about change in the Middle East.

Thanks.