Relationship between Religion and Politics in Islam — Page 14
The Relationship Between Religion & Politics 14 burden of the law of religion, whether you call it ‘Shariah law’ or any other law. In a society, for instance, where theft is commonplace, where telling falsehood is just an everyday practice, if you enact Shariah law and sever the hands of those who steal, what is going to hap- pen? Is that the purpose of Shariah? It’s not just a question of sen- timentality about religion. God’s will be done no doubt, but it will be done in the orderly way as God wishes us to do. Shariah Law Used as a Pretext to Seize Power I have suggested to certain political leaders that they should invite all the Muslim scholars to reform one small city of Pakistan first, and then have the Shariah imposed there. For Instance, Faisalabad is a small city—or a big town—of mainly traders, famous for its corrupt practices. I proposed that the ulema should be invited from all over Pakistan to first reform the society of that single town. When the people of that town have become capable of carrying the burden of Shariah, then the government should be invited to come in and take over the administration of the law of Shariah. But it will not happen. They don’t care. They are not con- cerned. It is not the love of Islam which is urging them on to demand Shariah law. It is just an instrument to reach to power, to capture power and to rule the society in the name of God. Society is already ruled by corrupt people, by cruel people, but that is done in the name of human beings. That is tolerable to a degree,