Politics, Secularism and Islam
Javed Ahmad
Some say, “Islam is a political religion”. But the truth is, there is no room for politics in Islam.
Politics is a career or profession of running the business and affairs of a state. This subject is taught at the universities around the globe as a major teaching political science and governance to prepare students to run a secular government system. By definition, politics is-
1. The science or art of political government.
2. The practice or profession of conducting political affairs.
3. Political affairs: The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.
4. Political methods or maneuvers: We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.
5. Political principles or opinions: We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.
6. Use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.
7. A treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, esp. the city-state as known in ancient Greece.
Politics is possible in a secular system where human minds run the affairs of a state with his or her best judgment. But in Islam, all state affairs are already outlined in the Qur’an and Sunnah, one just has to oversee that the matters are handled accordingly. There is seldom any chance for any human interference in any national decision. Even if there is any, it must comply with the constitution and by-laws of Islam, namely the Qur’an and Sunnah respectively.
People usually confuse themselves and others when they equate Islam with other religions. Islam is not just a religion, it is also a ‘way of life’ – meaning a guidance.
The Qur’an is such a book that pretty much covers all aspects of a human life – from personal to social. In order to prove my points I would do a simple random comparison between the Constitution of Bangladesh and Islam to show the parallels in a table format for easy understanding.
This parallel comparison will make it clear to understand that the Holy Qur’an is the Constitution of an Islamic State and the Sunnah is the By-Laws (interpretations of the practices of the Qur’anic instructions) that was viewed in that manner during the time of Caliphate. Unfortunately, none of us had the opportunity to live under the rule of pure Islam and as such none of us have the experience of how it is like to live under khilafah. Therefore, a ‘fear of calipahte’ lurks in our minds as a fear of the unknown. But the following comparison would allow us to realize that how close is our present day secular system to Islam!
|
Sl. # |
The Constitution |
Islam |
|
1 |
The Republic: |
“Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by God. And never would God Make your faith of no effect. For God is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 2:143). |
|
2 |
The territory of the Republic |
The territory is the territory of the Muslims living in the area. |
|
3 |
The state religion: The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in the Republic. |
“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Qur’an 5:3). |
|
4 |
The state language: The state language of the Republic is Bangla. |
“We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, in order that ye may learn wisdom.” (Qur’an 12:2). |
|
5 |
National anthem, flag and emblem… |
The Islamic flag is called “Ar-Raya” that is black in color with “La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasullah” written in white in Arabic scripts. |
|
6 |
Portrait: The President and the PM |
No use of portraits are allowed in Islam |
|
7 |
The capital: (1) The capital of the Republic is |
The center of the Islamic world is Makkah. |
|
8 |
Citizenship: (1) The citizenship of |
Anyone who accepts Islam as a religion and a way of life becomes a Muslim. |
|
9 |
Supremacy of the Constitution: (1) All powers in the Republic belong to the people, and their exercise on behalf of the people shall be effected only under, and by the authority of, this Constitution… |
The constitution of the Muslim ummah is the Qur’an. “O ye who believe! Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if ye ask about things when the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you, Allah will forgive those: for Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Forbearing. Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith. (Qur’an 5:101-102). |
|
10 |
Fundamental principles: (1) The principles of absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah,… |
“We have explained (things) in various (ways) in this Qur'an, in order that they may receive admonition, but it only increases their flight (from the Truth)!” (Qur’an 17:041). |
|
11 |
Promotion of local Government institutions: The State shall encourage local Government institutions composed of representatives of the areas concerned and in such institutions special representation shall be given, as far as possible, to peasants, workers and women. |
Similar local government can and did exist in a Islamic state during the time of Caliphate. |
|
12 |
Participation of women in national life: Steps shall be taken to ensure participation of women in all spheres of national life. |
Women did participate in national life under an Islamic rule. |
|
13 |
Democracy and human rights: The Republic shall be a democracy in which fundamental human rights and freedoms and respect for the dignity and worth of the human person shall be guaranteed,… |
“O ye who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty. In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, o ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.” (Qur’an 2:178-179). |
|
14 |
Principles of ownership: The people shall own or control the instruments and means of production and distribution, and with this end in view ownership shall assume the following forms-… |
Practice or rights and ownership is also assured in Islam. “O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence God, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for God ever watches over you.” (Qur’an 4:1). |
|
15 |
Emancipation of peasants and workers: It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to emancipate the toiling masses the peasants and workers and backward sections of the people from all forms and exploitation. |
“O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as God Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord God, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, Let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (For evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear God; For it is Good that teaches you. And God is well acquainted with all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted with sin. And God knoweth all that ye do.” (Qur’an 2:282). |
|
16 |
Provision of basic necessities: It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to attain, through planned economic growth,… |
Islam makes Zakat compulsory on every Muslim to ensure provisions for basic necessities. “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (Qur’an 9:60). |
|
17 |
Rural development and agricultural revolution: The State shall adopt effective measures to bring about a radical transformation in the rural areas through the promotion of a agricultural revolution,… |
“It is He Who sendeth down rain from the skies: with it We produce vegetation of all kinds: from some We produce green (crops), out of which We produce grain, heaped up (at harvest); out of the date-palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging low and near: and (then there are) gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety): when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! In these things there are signs for people who believe.” (Qur’an 6:99). |
|
18 |
Free and compulsory education: The State shall adopt effective measures for the purpose of -… |
Seeking knowledge is compulsory on all Muslim males and females. “For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail,- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.” (Qur’an 7:52). |
|
19 |
Public health and morality: (1) The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the improvement of public health as moving its primary duties,… |
Islam has strict dietary laws for health and morality. “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah. that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah. eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah. for Allah is swift in taking account.” (Qur’an 5:3-4). |
|
20 |
Equality of opportunity: (1) The State shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens… |
See “The Law of Equality” above. |
|
21 |
Work as a right and duty: (1) Work is a right, a duty and a matter of honour for every citizen who is capable of working,… |
“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God We belong, and to Him is our return":- They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from God, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Qur’an 2:155-157). |
|
22 |
Duties of citizens and of public servants: (1) It is the duty of every citizen to observe the Constitution and the laws, to maintain discipline, to perform public duties and to protect public property… |
“O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in his cause: that ye may prosper.” (Qur’an 5:35). |
|
23 |
Separation of Judiciary from the executive: The State shall ensure the separation of the judiciary from the executive organs of the State. |
In Islam, no such separation is necessary. |
|
24 |
National Culture: The State shall adopt measures to conserve the cultural traditions and heritage of the people, and so to foster and improve the national language, literature and the arts… |
Islam has its own culture as per the Qur’an and Sunnah. |
|
25 |
National monuments, etc: The State shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places of special artistic or historic importance or interest. |
Islam discourages ‘national monuments’ as it views such activities as waste of resources. |
|
26 |
Promotion of international peace, security and solidarity: (1) The State shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality,… |
Islam is always for “Peace”. “But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).” (Qur’an 8:61). |
|
27 |
Laws inconsistent with fundamental rights to be void: (1) All existing law inconsistent with the provisions of this Part shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, become void on the commencement of this Constitution… |
Islam discourages anything that does not comply with the Qur’an and Sunnah. “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys God and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (Qur’an 33:36). |
|
28 |
Equality before law: All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. |
See “The Equality of Law” above. |
|
29 |
Discrimination on grounds of religion, etc: (1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race caste, sex or place of birth… |
Islam teaches tolerance. History stands as proofs to the fact that people from other faiths lived in peace and flourished under the rule of Caliphate in the past. |
|
30 |
Equality of opportunity in public employment: (1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service of the Republic… |
See “The Equality of Law” above. |
|
31 |
Right to protection of law: To enjoy the protection of the law, and to be treated in accordance with law, and only in accordance with law, is the inalienable right of every citizen,… |
“These are the Signs of God: We rehearse them to thee in Truth: And God means no injustice to any of His creatures.” (Qur’an 3:108). |
|
32 |
Protection of right to life and personal liberty: No person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty save in accordance with law. |
“God doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For God is He Who heareth and seeth all things.” (Qur’an 4:58). |
|
33 |
Safeguards as to arrest and detention: (1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be of the grounds for such arrest, nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice… |
See “The Equality of Law” above. |
|
34 |
Prohibition of forced labour: (1) All forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law… |
Islam does not allow forced labor and abolished slavery. |
|
35 |
Protection in respect of trial and punishment: (1) No person shall be convicted to any offence except for violation of al law in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence,… |
“In most of their secret talks there is no good: But if one exhorts to a deed of charity or justice or conciliation between men, (Secrecy is permissible): To him who does this, seeking the good pleasure of God, We shall soon give a reward of the highest (value).” (Qur’an 4:114). |
|
36 |
Freedom of movement: Subject
to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest, every
citizen shall have the right to move freely throughout |
No visa or passport is required of a Muslim to move around within the Islamic territories. |
|
37 |
Freedom of assembly: Every citizen shall have the right to assemble and to participate in public meetings and processions peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of public order health. |
Islam advocated “pure democracy” where a common citizen could ask questions directly to the Caliph of the Islamic state as demonstrated by the Caliphs during the time is Caliphate and by our Prophet (S) himself. |
|
38 |
Freedom of association: Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of morality or public order. |
There were no restrictions on such assembly and associations in the Islamic empire. |
|
39 |
Freedom of thought and conscience, and of speech: (1) Freedom or thought and conscience is guaranteed… |
Freedom of speech and conscience flourished under the pure democratic rule of Islam resulting in dynamism in all areas of knowledge – science, arts, commerce and philosophies. |
|
40 |
Freedom of profession or occupation: Subject to any restrictions imposed by law, every citizen possessing such qualifications,… |
Same as above. |
|
41 |
Freedom of religion: (1) Subject to law, public order and morality-… |
People of all faiths lived in peace and harmony with the Muslims under the Islamic rule submitting to Islamic law and order. |
|
42 |
Rights to property: (1) Subject to any restrictions imposed by law, every citizen shall have the right to acquire, hold, transfer or otherwise dispose of property,… |
“And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.” (Qur’an 2:188). |
|
43 |
Protection of home and correspondence: Every citizen shall have the right, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of the security of the State, public order, public morality or public health-… |
“Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” (Qur’an 2:125). |
|
44 |
Enforcement of fundamental rights: (1) The right to move the High Court Division in accordance with clause (I) of article 102 for the enforcement of the rights conferred by this Part of guaranteed… |
In Islamic administration under Caliphate an organized justice system was developed under the deputies in different territories in the Islamic empire. |
|
45 |
Modification of rights in respect of disciplinary: Nothing in this Part shall apply to any provision of a disciplinary law relating to members of a disciplined force, being a provision limited to the purpose of ensuring the proper discharge of their duties or the maintenance of discipline in that force. |
Same as above. |
|
46 |
Power to provide indemnity: Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, Parliament may be law make provision for indemnifying any person in the service of the Republic or any other person in respect of any act done by him in connection with the national liberation struggle or the maintenance or restoration of other in any area in Bangladesh or validate any sentence passed, punishment inflicted, forfeiture ordered, or other act done in any such area. |
A shura council or the council of ullemas was there to over see the implementation of laws and by-laws of Islam in practical aspects. |
|
47 |
Saving for certain laws: (1) No law providing for any of the following matters shall be deemed to be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or abridge, any of the rights guaranteed by this Part-… |
Same as above. |
|
48 |
The President: (1) There shall be a President of Bangladesh who shall be elected by members of Parliament in accordance with law… |
In an Islamic state, there was a Caliph or Khalifah. |
|
49 |
Prerogative of mercy: The President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority. |
The Caliph pretty much had the same power as long as those powers are in compliance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. |
|
50 |
Term of office of President: (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office;… |
There was no term for the caliph. A Caliph could stay in power as long as needed. |
|
51 |
President's immunity: (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 52, the President shall not be answerable in any court for anything done or omitted by him in the exercise or purported exercise of the functions of this office, but this clause shall not prejudice the right of any person to take proceedings against the Government… |
There is no such matter called ‘immunity’ for a caliph in Islam. |
|
52 |
Impeachment of the President: (1) The President may be impeached on a charge of violating this Constitution or of grave misconduct, preferred by a notice of motion signed by a majority of the total number of members of.. |
A caliph too could have been impeached if he failed to uphold the Islamic principles in running the state affairs. |
|
53 |
Removal of President of ground of incapacity: (1) The President may be removed from office on the ground of physical or mental incapacity on a motion of which notice, signed by a majority of the total number of members of Parliament, is delivered to the Speaker, setting out particulars of the alleged incapacity… |
A caliph too could have been removed for incapacity. |
|
54 |
Speaker to act as President during absence, etc: If a vacancy occurs in the office of President or if the President is unable to discharge the functions of his office on account of absence, illness or any other cause of Speaker shall discharge those functions until a President is elected or until the President resumes the functions of his office, as the case may be. |
Any person selected or elected by the citizen could act as a caliph during absence. |
|
55 |
The Cabinet: (1) There
shall be a Cabinet for |
There was a shura or ullema council acting as advisors to the caliph as a cabinet. |
|
56 |
Minister: (1) There shall be Prime Minister, and such other Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers as may be determined by the Prime Minister… |
The caliph used to depute officers to represent him in different territories. |
|
57 |
Tenure of office of Prime Minister: (1) The office of the Prime Minister shall be vacant -… |
There was no PM in the Islamic system of governance. |
|
58 |
Tenure of office of other Ministers: (1) The office of a Minister other than the Prime Minister shall become vacant-… |
Tenure of a deputed officer depended on the caliph. |
|
59 |
Non-Party Care-taker Government: (1) There shall be a Non-Party Care-taker Government during the period from the date on which the Chief Adviser… |
The whole Islamic governance system is non-political party based. Since the law and order is ordained by Allah Himself no politics is possible. |
|
60 |
Local Government: (1) Local Government in every administrative unit of the Republic shall be entrusted to bodies, composed of persons elected in accordance with law… |
There were local governments deputed under an officer appointed by the caliph. |
|
61 |
Supreme Command: The
supreme command of the defence services of |
The supreme command on defense matter was on the caliph. |
|
62 |
Recruitment, etc., of defence services (1) Parliament shall by law provide for regulating-… |
There was no standing army in the Islamic empire during the caliphate. All capable Muslims used to take up arms to stand up against any external or internal threats on the call of the caliph. |
|
63 |
War: (1) War shall not be declared and the Republic shall not participate in any war except with the assent of Parliament…. |
War was declared only when the peace efforts failed. |
|
64 |
The Attorney-General: (1)
The President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed as a
judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for |
Usually the caliph and his deputies used to get involved in the judiciary processes to ensure justice. |
|
65 |
Establishment of Parliament: (1)
There shall be a Parliament for the Republic:… |
There was a shura or ullema council consisting of named, famed and learned personalities. |
|
66 |
No taxation except by or under Act of Parliament: No tax shall be levied or collected except by or under the authority of an Act of Parliament. |
Muslims paid no taxes to the government, but they paid Zakat. The non-Muslims under the state paid a tax (Jizya) to the government in lieu of Zakat. |
|
67 |
Consolidated Fund and the Public Account of the Republic: (1) All revenues received by the Government, all loans raised by the Government, and all moneys received by it in repayment of any loan, shall form part of one fund to be known as the Consolidated Fund… |
All wealth and treasures were kept in a well guarded Biitul Maal or a national treasury. |
|
68 |
Regulation of public moneys: The custody of public moneys, their payment into and the withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund or, as the case may be, the Public Account of the Republic, and matters connected with or ancillary to the matters aforesaid, shall be regulated by Act of Parliament, and until provision in that behalf is so made, by rules made by the President. |
All disbursements of the treasury were handled by the caliph himself following the rules and regulations in the Qur’an and Sunnah. |
Now I guess it is fair to ask the following questions: Do you see the existence of a constitution in Islam? Do you see that the Qur’an has plenty of guidelines for state affairs?
What is absent in Islam is politics. The matter of
‘politics’ have been taken care of Allah Himself. . The chapter # 114 called
“Mankind” of the Qur’an confirms that –
“Say:
I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King (or Ruler) of Mankind, The God (for judge) of Mankind,- From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who
withdraws (after his whisper),- (The same) who whispers into the hearts of
Mankind,- Among Jinns and among men.”
Denying Islam is like denying ones life and self existence. Islam encompasses all aspect of life. Secularism itself carries a lot of Islam in it. Because, by definition, the word ‘secular’ carries the following meanings:
1. Of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.
2. Not pertaining to or connected with religion (opposed to sacred): secular music.
3. Concerned with nonreligious subjects (of education, a school, etc.)
4. Not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows (opposed to regular of members of the clergy).
This ‘world’ is about ‘life’, so ‘worldly thing’ means ‘lively things’. Life itself is spiritual, sacred and temporal. Religion (e.g., nature) is all about living a life in this world. Therefore, secularism is in denial of life and religion. But can it be possible? So, you see the definition itself is wrong and deceptive!
From the meanings above, we can equate ‘secularism’ to ‘atheism’, denying existence of God, life after death, Day of Judgment, etc. Therefore, Muslims who are advocating for a secular state is actually advocating for atheism! Are they aware of that? On one end they are claiming to be Muslims identifying themselves with a Muslim sounding name and on the other hand they are attempting to kill Islam? Isn’t it hypocritical?
A true Muslim should advocate for Islam at all levels –
personal, social and national. Islam is not like other religions. Try creating
a ‘constitution’ using the wisdom and references in
the scriptures of other religion. It is possible and perhaps necessary to
separate state from religion when it comes to any religion other than Islam.
There is no such thing as “
The Caliphate (or Khilafah or Khilafat) officially ended in
1924 in
Hadhrat Huzaifa narrated in reference to Prophet (S) saying, “Prophet hood will remain among you as long as Allah wills. Then Caliphate (Khilafah) on the lines of prophet hood shall commence, and remain as long as Allah wills. Then corrupt / erosive monarchy would take place, and it will remain as long as Allah wills. After that, despotic kingship would emerge, and it will remain as long as Allah wills. Then, the Caliphate (Khilafah) shall come once again based on the precept of prophet hood."
In the above Hadith the first era of Caliphate is commonly accepted by the Muslims as that of the Rashidun Caliphate. Safinah (R) reported the he heard the Holy Prophet (S) say, “Khilafah will last thirty years, and then there will be kingdom. Safinah said afterwards: Count two years of the Khilafat of Abu Bakr, and ten years of the Khilafat of Umar, and twelve years of Uthman, and six years of Ali.” [Ahmad, Tirmizi, Abu Daud].
Maulana Fazlul Karim adds- “It appears from historical facts that the prophecy was literally fulfilled. 30 years completed up to the end of the reign of Hazrat Hasan. Abu Bakr ruled for 2 years 4 months; Umar 10 years 6 months; Uthman 12 years; Ali 4 years 9 months; and Hasan 5 months. Had the Prophet (s) not been a messenger of Allah, he could not have foretold all these things.”
Our present government in
There is no such thing as partial Islam. Islam is a complete package deal, either we take the whole thing the way it is presented to us by our Prophet (S) or just forget about the whole thing and wait for the Mehdi and Prophet Issa (A) to come and fix the mess that we have created in the name of Islam, secularism and politics.