Islamic Theory of Sovereignty

• Islam has given a unique and different concept of sovereignty. It is the

fundamental belief and faith of the Muslims that Allah Almighty is the
only sovereign authority. It is the only Allah Almighty which has all
supreme powers and authorities. And He is alone in His sovereignty.

• Essential elements of Islamic theory are

1. Sovereignty of Allah
2. Khilafat of Man
3. Delegated / Limited authority of the legislation of Amir/Majlis-e-
Shura
Sovereignty of Allah
(Surah Zukhruf, 84-85)

• And it is Allah who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on

the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.
And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the
heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and
with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will
be returned.” Quran
• Allah’s Sovereignty is absolute
• Allah’s sovereignty is universal and All-comprehensive
• Allah’s sovereignty is imprescriptible (non-transferrable) and all-
comprehensive
• Allah’s sovereignty is inalienable
• Indivisible
• Permanent
• Allah’s sovereignty is original
‫وہی زندگی بخشتا ہے اور وہی موت دیتا ہے گردش لیل و نہار اسی کے قبضہ •‬
‫قدرت میں ہے کیا تمہاری سمجھ میں یہ بات نہیں آتی‬
 (The King)
The Sovereign Lord, The One with the
Al-Malik
complete Dominion, the One Whose
Dominion is clear from imperfection
 (The Mighty One)
Al-Aziz The Strong, The Defeater who is not
defeated
 Al-
(The Dominant One)
Mutakabbi
The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them.
r

(The All-Prevailing One)

Al-Qahhar
The Dominant, The One who has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

(The Supreme Bestower)

Al-
The One who is Generous in giving plenty without any return. He is everything that benefits whether Halal or
Wahhab
Haram.

(The Total Provider)

Ar-Razzaq
The Sustainer, The Provider.

(The Impartial Judge)

Al-Hakam The Judge, He is the Ruler and The Judge, He is the Ruler and His judgment is His Word. His judgment is His
Word.
(The Magnificent One)
Al-Azeem The Great One, The Mighty, The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement, and Purity from all
imperfection.
Vicegerency of Man:-
• Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create
a vicegerent on earth”
• ‫(سورة البقرة‬Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #30

• He it is Who appointed you vicegerents upon the earth and raised

some of you by degrees above others, that He may try you in that
which He has given you.
• (Sūrat al-An‘ām, No 6, Āyat 165)
• The word ‘khalā‘if’ is plural of the world ‘khalīfah’, meaning
representatives or successors,. The first khalīfah or vicegerent Allah
appointed on earth was Prophet Adam ‘alayhis-salām. The Quran
says: And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in
the earth a khalīfah (Q 2:30). As Adam (a) represents humanity, all
human beings can be understood to be God’s vicegerents on earth.
• In Islamic political terminology the Khalīfah is the title of the head of
Islamic state (anglicized as caliph).
• The verse then goes on to explain that Allah (swt) creates people with
differing potential. He gives people different abilities and talents,
equips them with different types of bodies and mental abilities. The
reason for these differences is not to make some ultimately superior
over others. Rather it is to test them to see how they use what He has
given them. Human beings have often used this God-given potential
and abilities for wrong purposes.
The concept of Amir:-
• The Quran says, O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey messenger
and those of you who are in authority and if you have any dispute
concerning any matter, refer it to Allah and the Messenger
• The Amir may be one man or group of man such as legislature. But he
or the legislature does not exercise the sovereignty or absolute power
but just the delegated authority as declared by the Shariah, the Divine
Law.
Difference between Islamic sovereignty and
western sovereignty
• Islamic concept of sovereignty differs from western concept of
sovereignty in terms of personality, authority etc.
• The most significant division lies in their spiritual and materialistic
concepts.
• 1. By personality:- In Islam sovereignty lies with Allah almighty and in
western concept any individual can fill the office of sovereignty.
• 2. Social Contract: According to western concept, the idea of
sovereignty came into existence through contract while according to
Islamic concept of sovereignty it belongs to Allah, and it was
introduced, taught and practiced by the prophets of Allah