The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 538
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 538 government with the consultation of the people. Thus, Allāh the Exalted even addresses the Holy Prophet sa himself saying: “O Prophet, consult the people in matters of administration; but when you have decided after consultation, then put your trust in Allāh. ” 1 According to Qur’ānic idiom, this instruction is not only limited to the Holy Prophet sa , but also applies to his Khulafā’ and followers. In summary, as far as the system of government is concerned, Islām only presents two fundamental principles. Firstly, that the right to rule equally belongs to all the people, and in such a case, they should elect the best person from among themselves as their Amīr. Secondly, anyone who becomes an Amīr and takes charge of government, is obliged to fulfil his trust with justice and equity, and to discharge all the important responsibilities associated with politics and government with the consultation of the people. In other words, in the matter of sovereignty, Islām has absolutely prohibited a hereditary system. Furthermore, Islām has also forbidden that a ruler should lead a despotic and autocratic system of government. However, even in the current era, as the power of veto, etc. , is generally accepted, in exceptional circumstances, Islām has afforded an Amīr the power to reject a proposal made by the majority if he deems necessary. 2 However, either way, in light of the Islāmic Sharī‘at , an Amīr has been ordered not to settle any important matter without first seeking counsel. This was to such an extent, that Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra , who was the second Khalīfah of the Holy Prophet sa and was considered a great expert in Islāmic politics states: ِ لَا خِلَافَة َ اِلَّابِالْمَشْوَرَة “No Islāmic government can be accepted as being lawful without a system of consultation. ” 3 1 Ā l-e-‘Imr ā n (3:160) 2 Ā l-e-‘Imr ā n (3:160) 3 Iz ā latul-Khif ā’ i ‘ An Khil ā fatil-Khulaf ā’ Mu ṣ annaf Ibni Ab ī Shaibah, Part 8, p. 570, Kit ā bul-Magh ā z ī , B ā bu M ā J ā’ a F ī Khil ā fati Ab ī Bakrin. . . . . , D ā rul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon