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Summary

The text discusses the Islamic perspective on authority, power, and wealth, emphasizing that these should be used in accordance with the teachings of Islam to promote justice, defend Muslim causes, and support those in need.

Abstract

The article delves into the Islamic principles governing the use of authority, power, and wealth, asserting that they are not inherently transformative but revelatory of a person's true character. It underscores the importance of establishing an Islamic state based on God's sovereignty, where laws are in harmony with the Qur'an and Sunnah. The text emphasizes that leadership roles and wealth are trusts from Allah, to be managed in ways that uphold His commands and serve the interests of the Muslim community. It also criticizes leadership that deviates from Islamic principles, advocating for a community that stands for equity, justice, and the propagation of Islamic monotheism.

Opinions

  • Authority and power should be exercised in line with Islamic teachings, not personal desires or materialistic ideologies.
  • Wealth, particularly that which is part of the bayt al-maal (treasury), must be utilized for the collective benefit of Muslims, including defense and aid to those in need.
  • The establishment of an Islamic state is not a worldly pursuit but a religious duty, as it reflects the sovereignty of Allah and adherence to His laws.
  • Leaders are seen as trustees and should not distribute wealth according to personal whims but as commanded by Allah.
  • Obedience to the ruler is contingent upon their adherence to Islamic law, and Muslims are encouraged to refer disputes to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
  • Nationalism is viewed as conflicting with Islamic principles, as it calls to something other than Islam and may detract from the unity of the Muslim ummah.

Authority, Power And Wealth —Do Not Change A Man — They Only Reveal Him:

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The Command is For none but for Allah: He has commanded that ye obey none but Him: that is the right path. (12:40). Islam Is a complete system —that promotes the development of a community of people who stand up For equity and justice, For right against wrong or, to phrase it differently, For the creation of such conditions as would enable the greatest possible number of human beings to live spiritually, morally and physically in accordance with the Teachings of Islam.

The decision [Hukm] is only for Allah”. (Al-An’aam 6:57)

We should not say, “The rule is For the people,” because those who lead the people according to their own whims and desires are those with materialistic ideologies or idolatrous principles that go against what Allah has revealed — and impose their own authority by Force under these devious, Fabricated slogans.

Similarly, the “Wealth of Allah” must be spent on the general interests of the Muslims, to protect Muslims — defend Muslim causes in the East and in the West, above all; to call people to Allah; to strive to defeat the oppressors and those who transgress against some of the Muslims; and to meet the needs of those who are in need —

As mentioned in Surat al-Hashr where Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allah and to please Him, and helping Allah (i.e. helping His religion — Islamic Monotheism) and His Messenger (Muhammad). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say).

Thus the Founding of an Islamic State is not a sort of "worldly activity," something undesirable, as some people wrongly suppose, but the responsibility of every Muslim as demanded by Islam.

As far as the nature of the Islamic state is concerned, it is theocracy with regard to God in the sense that the de jure sovereignty belongs to Allah — Whose de facto sovereignty is inherent and manifest in the working of the entire universe and Who enjoys exclusively the sovereign prerogative over all the creation.

The Holy Qur’an has stressed this point in so many verses: “The Command is For none but for Allah. He has commanded that ye obey none but Him. That is the right path” (Qur’an 12:40).

“Follow the Revelation sent unto you From your Lord, and do not Follow the (so-called) Guardians other than Him” (Qur’an 7:3).

“And those who do not make their decisions in accordance with that revealed by Allah are (in Fact) the deniers of Truth” (Qur’an 5:44).

It thus becomes quite clear that a state established on the basis of God’s sovereignty cannot enforce any law in contravention of the Qur’an and the Sunnah even if all the citizens make a demand for it.

In Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (10/281), Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said: commenting on the Hadeeth of the Messenger (saw): “All of the wealth which is at the disposal of the ruler is the wealth of Allah and His Messenger — meaning that Allah commanded His Messenger to spend that wealth in ways of obedience to Him, so it is essential to obey him in distributing this wealth as it is essential to obey him in all that he commands, For whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah, and he has conveyed this From Allah.”

He said, concerning the wealth which the troops take From the bayt al-maal (treasury) (25/26):

Moreover, these troops are the troops of Allah who are fighting for the sake of Allaah, as His slaves. They take these provisions from the bayt al-maal to help them in jihad. What they take is not the property of the ruler, rather it is the property of Allah which the ruler distributes to those who are entitled to it.

And he said (28/268):

The Rulers do not have the right to distribute it (the wealth of the bayt al-maal) according to their own whims and desires, as an owner may distribute his own wealth. Rather they are trustees, deputies and agents; they are not owners.

As the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “By Allah, I do not give to anyone or withhold From anyone (according to my own personal opinion), rather I am a distributor who allocates things as I am commanded.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari.

This is the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds who told us that he did not give or withhold on the basis of his own will and choice, as an owner does who is permitted to dispose of his wealth as he wishes, or as kings do who give to those whom they like and withhold from those whom they do not like. Rather he is a slave of Allah who distributes wealth as he is commanded by Allah.

Obey God and obey the Messenger (saw) and those in authority (uli al-amr) among you. And if you differ among yourselves concerning any matter, refer it to God and the Messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is better, and Fairer in outcome.

A Muslim should use his position and wealth individually and collectively in accordance with the law of Allah. When Allah gives him a position, he should not harm the servants of Allah by misusing it, and in every situation, he should give importance to the order of Allah.

May Allah (swt) Guide us aright in picking the right leaders to steer the ship of the state. (Ameen).

JazakAllah (May Allah reward you [with] goodness)for reading.

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Authority
Power
Quran
God
Islam
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