The Riots of 1953 — Page 52
52 A. In my view what the Qur’an calls a purely Islamic Govern- ment is now an impossibility. According to that definition of Islamic Government it is necessary that all the Musalmans of the world should form one political unit and this in the exist- ing circumstances is wholly impracticable. Q. Has there ever been an Islamic form of Government? A. Yes, during the Islamic Republic of Khulafa-i-Rashidin. Q. In that Republic what was the position of the kuffar? Could they take part in law-making in the administration of law and could they occupy positions of high executive responsibilities? A. This question did not arise, because during the Islamic Re- public there was perpetual war between the Musalmans and the kuffar. The kuffar who were conquered acquired in the Islamic State the same rights as the Muslims. In those days, there were no elected legislatures in the form in which we have them today. Q. Was there a separate judiciary during the time of the Holy Prophet? A. The highest judicial authority in those days was the Holy Prophet himself. Q. In an Islamic form of Government, can a kafir have the right publicly to preach his religion? A. Yes. Q. In an Islamic State, if a Muslim, after making a compara- tive study of religion, honestly decides to give up Islam and to embrace another religion, say Christianity, or becomes an atheist, does he forfeit the rights of the subject of that State? A. Not according to me, though there are other sects in Islam who would inflict capital punishment on such a person. Q. If a person, after giving due consideration to the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib, comes to the honest conclusion