Introduction
Islam is undoubtedly a religion that has considerable expanse in influencing several aspects of life, given that it is one that involves due prescription of rules based on pertinent belief-systems. Therefore, it is noteworthy to emphasize that the formation of Islam provides the imminence of forming an Islamic form of government. As it stands, the Islamic form of government has profound origins on the growth of Muslim followers since the emergence of Muhammad as the proponent of Islam. This study explores the historical antecedents behind the formation of the Islamic government, with emphasis on the importance of those in explaining the influence of Islam at present.
History of Islamic Government
Emergence under Muhammad
Muhammad stands as the first person to define what an Islamic form of government should resemble, given that he himself knows Islam best. Through the Constitution of Medina formed in the year 622 CE, Muhammad was able to form the earliest known political entity related to Islam. Islamic political entities, or caliphates, first emerged in the form of city-states between the years 630 CE to 750 CE, with the years beyond featuring larger entities in the form of empires. The aim of Muhammad in forming the caliphate is to emphasize on the importance of political unity among Muslims, termed as “Umma”. However, it is noteworthy to emphasize that Muslims, even from the beginning of their political consciousness, have not found immediate unity in terms of religious community. Kharijites and Shia Muslims stood as among the most prominent conflicts at the time when Muhammad sought to form the concept of a caliphate. However, the disciples of Muhammad called the Rashidun (rightly guided) eventually started to become the official governors of caliphates. Imperial powers grew when the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates expanded between 600 CE and 1300 CE (Black, 2011; Donner, 1986; Gibb, 1955).
The Guiding Principles of Muhammad
Muhammad issued notable guiding principles to characterize his concept of an Islamic state fully. Most of the principles, known as “Al-Shura”, closely relate to Islamic thought. Holding political meetings have to find the proper conduct based on Islamic virtues. The Koran and Sunnah should also serve as the basis of political consultations, alongside a leader who has the proper wisdom of Islam in organizing gatherings. Muhammad also emphasizes on the importance of majority voting, emphasizing that all members of meetings have the right to express any of their concerns or grievances, should they have any. However, it is noteworthy to emphasize that majority voting has to proceed with Islamic virtues as embodied in the Koran and Sunnah. Otherwise, such could face due invalidation (Black, 2011; Gibb, 1955).
Conclusion
The process involved in the formation of the concept of an Islamic government has proceeded just as a normal form of government would emerge – being ideology-based. In the present case, however, Islamic thought derives from the teachings of Muhammad, which are highly religious in nature as it seeks to establish a code of ethics and belief-systems as part of the requisite show of reverence to God referred to Allah. Nevertheless, the fact that Muhammad has become successful in establishing the concept of an Islamic government states that he has also become successful in being the proponent of Islam itself. The Islamic government concept would not have pushed through if not for the faithful who chose to adhere to Muhammad and his teachings. Ultimately, the emergence of the Islamic government concept corresponds to the quality of legitimacy Muhammad has set upon himself.
References
Black, A. (2011). The history of Islamic political thought (2nd Ed.). United Kingdom: Edinburgh University Press.
Donner, F. (1986). The formation of the Islamic state. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 106(2), 283-296.
Gibb, H. (1955). The evolution of government in early Islam. Studia Islamica, 4, 5-17.
