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Concept of sovereignty in Islam and human accountability

There is a general consensus among Islamic scholars that Islam places sovereignty in Allah.

Published: Fri 25 Jun 2004, 12:10 PM

Updated: Wed 23 Nov 2022, 11:26 AM

  • By
  • Riaz A Siddiqi

The Holy Quran explicitly describes Allah as Al-Malik meaning sovereign and Malik-ul-Mulk - the eternal possessor of sovereignty. These two attributes are also among the 99 beautiful names of God. The Quran (51:58) also makes it clear beyond any doubt that all power lies in God, who is Al Muqtadir - possessor of all power.

The basic distinction between Western polity and Islamic polity is that while the former places sovereignty in either the state or in the in charge through the notion of popular sovereignty, the latter places it absolutely in Allah. Thus the simple explanation of Islamic polity is that God is sovereign and He is the source of all legislation in the form of Quran. The Islamic states base their precepts on Islamic law and constitution, the Shariah. Tauheed, the Oneness of God is the most important article of faith in Islam. The denial of this unity is the greatest conceivable violation of Islamic precepts.

The sovereign by definition is universal as a Muslim community is seen as one Ummah (people), which are, united under one sovereign by virtue of their faith and submission to the will of God. The word Islam means complete submission to God in the similar sense that the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes visualised the complete surrender of power by the individual to the state. The Islamic concept of submission is more powerful in that it subordinates human will to the will and law of God unconditionally. It is an ontological requirement and not a condition of any contract. Thus to state succinctly the Quranic concept of sovereignty is universal that is non territorial, transcendental, meaning beyond human agency, invisible, inalienable and truly absolute. Man as God's Khalifa on earth (viceregent) is not only the primary agent of the sovereign but also enjoys a margin of autonomy. This margin of autonomy by virtue of viceregency is the Islamic equivalent of popular sovereignty.

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According to Islam, sovereignty belongs to Allah. He alone is the Law Giver and believers could neither resort to totally independent legislation nor could they modify any law laid down by God. Islamic state is a political agency set up to enforce the laws of God. Herein lie the cardinal differences between the modern and Islamic conceptions. While modernity makes the state an agency of the sovereignty, in Islam the state is a repository of the Sovereign. Thus the Islamic state is conceptually stronger than the modern state. The hue and cry by the West to 'democratise' the Muslim states is thus merely an eyewash and a tool of propaganda. By virtue of Quranic tenets Islam is more democratic, sovereign and committed to respect the human rights.

The non-Muslim scholars fail to see that Muslims actually enjoy greater autonomy than even citizens of democracy. In the Western democracies it is nearly impossible to change or alter the constitution. However, Islamic scholars have enjoyed a great deal of freedom both politically and traditionally to interpret the Quran and Islamic principles. While in the West the people with a different understanding of constitution are not free to act according to their interpretation, Muslims have done precisely that and legitimately too.

Nevertheless, Muslims must understand that while sovereignty belongs to Allah, it has already been delegated in the form of human agency (Quran 2:30). The political task at the moment is not to indulge in rhetoric but to reflect on how this God given agency can be best employed in creating a society that will bring welfare and goodness to people here and in the Hereafter. Muslims as individuals and as Ummah cannot be held accountable for what they do unless they have the freedom/sovereignty to do as they please. The discretion and the judgment with which Muslims apply the given law to achieve their purpose is nobody's business but of their own alone. The day of judgement is the natural consequence of human sovereignty. Therefore, we must remember that the freedom to act, though a most precious gift it should be availed and exercised very carefully without injuring others' sentiments or causing hurdles in others' course of action. We must never forget that our acts of commission and omissions are subject to be accounted for in full. Believers should always recognise that God is sovereign in all affairs, He has exercised His sovereignty in delegating some of it in the form of human agency/state. God's sovereignty should not be taken as an excuse for installing and legitimising practices and laws, which cannot be accounted for developing a clean and just society. Muslim countries' greatest strength is the fortitude and compassion of its people and the Islamic values they uphold. Most important thing for Muslims is to introduce themselves as servants of Allah, subservient to His will and upholders of the Quranic teachings and let others decide whether they are their friends or foe.



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