Some Distinctive Features of Islam — Page 14
14 The Holy Quran says that in the wealth of those who possess over and beyond their basic needs, is also the share of those who are unable to meet their basic needs and are considered deprived in their environment. This clearly establishes that it is the right of every person to have certain basic necessities of life provided to him in every land and society, and those made responsible for meeting this obligation are the ones who possess more than their basic needs, leaving it to the state to decide upon the modus operandi, which is to ensure that the system is fair, just and equitable and adequately fulfils its basic purpose. Directions in Political Matters The other major international question confronting us today is that of the determination of the form of government for a given region or country. Here, too, the guiding principles of Islam are so pertinent, weighty and elastic that their truth and practicability become self- evident. No one can deny that a particular form of government so considered suitable or unsuitable only when applied to a specific set of conditions, and it is idle to imagine that a particular political system can fulfil the needs of all people for all times. This is why Islam does not specify a particular government. It neither presents a democratic or socialist form, nor recommends kingship or dictatorship. Instead of dilating upon the methods of establishing governments, Islam enunciates the principle of conducting political and governmental affairs in a specific manner, and imposes the condition that, no matter what the form, the responsibilities of a government will always be discharged justly, and