Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 281
281 mandatory, for the Quran says: “Verily, Allah commands you to entrust authority into the hands of those who are best fitted to discharge it” (4:59). It is clear that sovereignty in this context is vested in the people. They are commanded to entrust it to those who are best fitted to discharge the responsibilities attaching to it. The exercise of the franchise for the purpose of electing representatives for the discharge of the various responsibilities of state is thus elevated to a sacred trust. The verse continues: “And when you are called upon to judge between or exercise authority over, the people, you must do so equitably and with justice. ” These two obligations, the one laid upon the people to choose their representatives wisely, and the other laid upon those who are chosen to exercise their authority equitably and with justice, are the very essence of good administration. The verse concludes: “Surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. ” This implies that the Muslims might from time to time be tempted to depart from these two fundamental principles, and to try other experiments, but they are warned that what Allah has admonished them with is alone the most excellent and the most beneficent method by which these responsibilities may be discharged. Allah will watch the discharge of these responsibilities, and should the spirit with which Allah desires to inspire all those concerned with their discharge begin to