Relationship between Religion and Politics in Islam — Page 7
The Relationship Between Religion & Politics 7 Participation in Legislation The next consideration is the very concept of the state. This is the most fundamental issue which has to be resolved and addressed by those who are concerned with politics or international law. The question is that anyone born in a state has a right to participate in its legislation. In the secular concept of the running of governments and legislation, everyone born in a given country—whatever be his religion, colour, or creed—acquires the basic fundamental civic rights. And the most Important among these rights is the chance, at least, to participate in the shaping of legislation. Of course, parties come and go; majority parties today may turn into minority parties tomorrow. Everybody’s wish is not ful- filled or carried out, but, in principle, everybody has a fair chance and an equal chance to make his say heard—at least by the oppo- sition—on matters of common principle. But what would hap- pen if one Shariah or one religion is imposed as the law of that country? If Muslim law were imposed in a country, all the rest of the people, who are inhabitants of the same land, would have to be considered as second, third, or fourth rate citizens of the same country with no say whatsoever in the legislation. But that is not all, the problem is further complicated within Islam itself, because Islam has a Book revealed by God and the Muslim scholars claim that it is their right to interpret the Book.