The islamic Law and Constitution By SAYYID ABUL A’LA MAUDUDI Translated and Edited by KHURSHID AHMAD Islamic Publications (Pvt.) Ltd. 18-£, Shah Atam Market, LAHORE {PakistanyEDDC Ja the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful AUTHOR'S PREFACE HE first edition of this book was compiled while I was in prison, As ench. neither could I add anything to the book nor could my suggestions he sought in its compilation. Now the second edition has been prepared in full consultation with ine and containa almost ail of my speeches and articles relating to the subjects of Islamic Law and Constitution. Mr. Khurshid Ahmad deserves my heart-felt thanks for the skill and ability with which he has translated and edited the book. A book like the present one, which has not been written in the common texthock style, may not cater to all the academic needa of a student of Islamie Law and Constitution, who wants to study the subject in ‘all its multifarious details, but, I do hope, it will prove of immense help to all those pereons who want to study the nature of the Islamic State, its theory, form and underlying principles, and who wish to understan@ how the islainie Law can be ifaplemented in » modern state. Today there are many countries whose Muslim population is, after attaining independence, natyratly eager to base ita polity on those princi- ples and traditions of Islam which are a demand of its faith and conscicice, The people want that the Islamic Law should be introduced in their reapective countries sb that they may follow 8 law to which thoy owe their honost and sincere allegiance, But, unfortunately, in almost all such countries the reins of power have been in the hands of those persona who not only did notof | Phe Islamic Law and Oonstitutton have even an elementary understanding of Islamic Law and Com stitution, but had all their education and training for the run. ning of Godlens secular states. Therefore everywhere they are in a bad predicament bocause they are incapable of thinking except in terms of the nature and pattern of astate of the Western secular type. They are not in a position to wriggle themselves out of the Western modes of thinking and practice. The position of the Muslim masses is not very dissimilar in certain respects, No doubt they aro extremely eager to re-ostablish tho Islamic way of life and this urge of theirs ia very real and sincere, But they too are not clear about the nature and form of tha state whose catablishmet they so sincerely urge. They also do not know as to what should they do to establish the state of their dreams. Furthermore, Western thinkers and policy-makers whose opinions have begun to command immense importance in our times, who are influencing most the destinies of the Muslim countries, and to whose opinions we too give due weight, har- bour many 4 prejudice and suspicion about the nature and prospects of the Islemic State. I think that most of thejr sus- picions and apprehensions are due to o lack of information and understanding and not because of any malice, and as such they areremovable. In,the articles presented in this book I have made an humble attempt to serve all these sections. I wish that whatever opinion is. farmed about the Islamic State, should be formed after onc hws properly and thoroughly acquainted him- solf with its nature.and content, and not otherwise, The presont book will, I hope, help a great deal in understanding the various aspects of an Islamie State. Tam thankful to all-those persons who offered their com. ments on the first edition of the book in Pakistani and foreign newspapers and journals. I have tried to bonefit from their comments as much as possible, I-do not probose to give, in this preface, any rejoinder to. the objections particularly raised by tho Westorn reviewers and eritics. But I would submit -that-