public administration and governance in islam

Introduction 

The issue of good governance is being widely debated all over the world nowadays. All sociologists and political scientists have a consensus that good governance has major influence for human resource development in the society. They further believe that no nation can make the dream of development come true sans developing a culture of good governance. It is inevitable for all state and non-state organizations to abide by the principles of good governance in order to move forward and attain the goal of public welfare. At the state level, it is considered important and connected with a nation’s overall development and its sustainability.

Good governance is a culture that makes people act responsibly, thoughtfully and conscientiously. In such a system, all public functionaries ought to be people of high calibre, with traits of justness and being energetic in them. An important principle of good governance is that the ruler must be sincere and of impeccable character. He must consider himself not a ruler but a servant. Similarly, he should be mindful of his every act, that it should not harm his subjects.In Islamic concept of good governance, those in authority behave with restraint and avoid abuse of power. They act within the parameters of the law and take upon themselves the country’s concerns and hardships. They remain impersonal in the discharge of their duties and imperturbable in front of critics. They respect popular will but never go beyond their tether.

A shining example of this can be found when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) became head of the state of Madina and exemplified good governance through his acts. He created a bond of brotherhood among the Muslim citizens, concluded agreements with non-Muslims and remained concerned about their welfare. He upheld the Islamic value system in which justice remains central. He declared that all humans are the offspring of Adam and that there is no difference between Arab and non-Arab (Ajam).

Legal justice

Laws of the Islamic Sharia are very clear on the subject of providing legal justice. The Holy Quran, Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), and the traditions of the rightly guided Caliphs make it compulsory for the state to dispense legal justice at all costs without taking care of the ramifications or backlash from the wealthy or influential people.  It was during the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) that a woman named, Fatima, was found guilty of stealing. The woman belonged to the influential tribe of Bani Makhzum and her tribesmen presented Hazrat Usama bin Zaid ( son of the adopted child of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)) as an intercession for the Woman to be spared. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) rejected it by saying that “people before you were destroyed because if an influential would steal, he would be forgiven and if a poor would commit such act, the legal punishment would be inflicted upon him”.  The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) then said, “ By God, even if she was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), she would not have been spared”.

Moral justice

Moral Justice is also an important part of Islam. As per the rules set by Islam, no one is allowed to abuse anyone or the personalities he reveres, no one is allowed to violate the honor of women in the society and no is allowed to spread false rumors about others Nor one is allowed to backbite against others. Islam even forbids Muslims from using bad words against the sacred personalities of other religions as it can lead to hatred and voilence.

Economic justice

As Islam is a complete guide for all the aspects of human life so Islam definitely deals with the economic needs of a man. Islam orders the head of the state and other officials to take care of their subjects and provide them with every kind of economic assistance in case if they are poor. Islam has introduced a moderate system in the economics in which every person who has the means to earn to a certain level of income will have to give 2.5 percent of his wealth in the way of Allah ( the way through which the poor will be supported by the state). Apart from Zakat other sources of income for the Islamic state are Maal-e-Ghanimat (War booty), Maal-e-Fay (Booty obtained without any war), Jaziya (tax from non-Muslims etc.

 Allah says in the Quran,” Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer and spend out of what we have given them” (Surah Al-Baqara). The Quran instructs Muslims by saying” You shall observe the prayers and give the obligatory charity” ( Surah Al-Baqarah).

Protection

Islamic Law provides protection to all the sections of society irrespective of their religion, caste, color, creed, or status. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) migrated to Medina he not only signed an agreement for the formation of a nation-state with Jews and other people in Medina but also pledged to protect the communities in case of any war from outside. When Muslims conquered Makkah the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w) talked about taking revenge but the the Prophet of Islam announced a general amnesty for all the excesses committed by the Quraish against Muslims. The Islamic protection ranges to all sections of society without any distinction. The Holy Prophet Muhammad stated in his hadith that Allah will forbid Muslims even from smelling the fragrance of Heaven if they kill any of the Non-Muslim. The Holy Prophet Muhammad says,” Those who kill Non-Muslims in the Islamic state will remain deprived even of the fragrance of the Heaven”

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Public administration and governance in Islam