THE CONCEPT OF STATE IN ISLAM — An Analysis

THE CONCEPT OF STATE IN ISLAM The following Quranic verse provides us an insight into the Islamic understanding of political power: Say: “O God! Lord of Power, You give power to whom You please, and You take away power from whom You please.” THE QURAN 3: 26 T HE actual possessor of power is God, and it is He who grants power on earth to whom He wills. It is also He who takes away power from whomsoever He wills. So, the whole matter in this regard rests with God. If someone receives power, it is not due to his own effort: it is given to him by God alone. Similarly, when power is taken away from him, it is done by God alone. Thus, the dominance or subjugation of any group is ultimately for God to decide. Political power is totally governed by God, just as the entire universe is running in accordance with the Divine plan. It is like saying that God alone is the controller of the universe and that He alone has the final word as to who is going to be given political power. Just as God exercises full power over the setting and rising of the sun, so also He has full power over the granting of political ascendancy. Just as God exercises full power over the setting and rising of the sun, so also He has full power over the granting of political ascendancy. This is an incontrovertible fact. There is another Quranic verse in this connection which throws further light on the issue: And He will bestow upon you other blessings which you desire; help from God and a speedy victory. THE QURAN 61: 13 In this verse, 'other blessings' includes political power. This has been characterized as something secondary. When we take this verse in its literal sense, it transpires that the status of political power has a secondary rather than a primary position in Islam. Primary place is given to the purification of the self through intellectual and spiritual development.