Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 326
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 326 These are the two great and firm pillars on which an Islamic state is based. First, that the authority for governance is vested in the people, and that they should entrust that authority to those most competent among them for its discharge; and second, tha t he who is entrusted with such authority should discharge it equitably and with justice, in consultation with the people. Islam does not admit any hereditary right of governance, nor does it permit the exercise of public authority without consultation wit h the people. There is no room for dictatorship in Islam. Details with regard to the manner of electing or selecting the head of state, the procedure for consultation with the people or their representatives, the scope of such consultation and such like, a re left to be worked out and established by the people according to their needs and circumstances in every age and in every region. There are many considerations that bear upon these matters into which it is not necessary, or even permissible, to enter in the course of a biography. One further development that had now taken place was that Quraish ceased to be the principal centre of opposition to Islam in Arabia. Opposition had now become widespread throughout the country and the scope of the responsibilities of the Holy Prophet and the Muslims was correspondingly expanded. One consequence of the widening of the horizon in this matter was that the area of the authority of the Muslim state increased progressively and a large number of non - Muslims became subject to that authority. The b asic direction in this context is (5:9): O ye who believe, be steadfast in the cause of Allah and be witnesses of justice to all concerned. Let not a people’s