Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 37
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 37 geographical extent of the implementation of its laws. It is also essential for foreigners who come into those boundaries to obey the laws of the country. One who goes out of the boundaries also goes, to a certain extent, outside the reach of the laws of that government. Thus, government is obliged to issue orders in certain matters, to prohibit certain other matters, and to impose restrictions on financial, personal, and civic liberties at times of need. It has the power to collect taxes, recruit for the army, enter into treaties, and render justice. Now let us see whether the Prophet sa was given all of these powers or not. First are the boundaries of a country. The empowerment of the Prophet sa in this regard is clear, since he declared that no one could live within a specific area except for Muslims. If someone else were to come, he would be expelled. Second, rules were enforced for those people living there. Similarly, Allah, the Almighty empowered him to conclude treaties with others, or to terminate them with certain conditions when he considered the need for it. He was given the power to collect taxes, and to restrict financial, personal, and civic liberties. Therefore, all powers of government were given to the Prophet sa by Allah. Government orders the legality of certain things and prohibits others; it checks the financial, personal, and civic liberties of people in certain circumstances. Allah, the Almighty empowered him to take their property, collect taxes, and demand their