Duties of Theocracy from Religious Point of view
Carrying out Islam’s criminal laws such as fix punishment (Hadd), blood money (restitution) and Equal Retaliation (Qisas) and also the holy duty of Jihad (fighting with the enemies of Islam and defending Muslims’ lands and rights) is not possible without establishing government and a powerful executive branch.
According to the religious approach, to achieve his true perfection, man needs a safe environment that provides conditions for his guidance, nurturing his talents and developing his true accomplishments. Providing such an environment can only be achieved through establishing a theocracy, which is based on religious principles and values. Therefore the domain of Islam encompasses mundane affairs and the theocracy has the duty to regulate people’s livelihood and their otherworldly life.
Muslims have always perceived Islam’s political theory based on an unbreakable bond between religion and politics. Early Muslims considered establishing government and creating a governmental institution a religious duty. This perception is rooted in Qur’an, tradition and conduct of Prophet Muhammad. Islamic canon law cannot be fully executed without a government established based on cannon law.
In addition to individual worship commandments, Islam includes a series of commands that aim to regulate social relation and violating them has certain criminal and legal consequences that cannot be executed without establishing a government, such as fix penalties (Hadd), Equal Retaliation (Qisas), Jihad, commanding good and prohibiting evil.
Islam has a special tax system including Alms Tax (zakat), Fifth of the surplus annual income (Khums - quint), jizyah (tribute) and Anfal (spoils of war) that is considered the financial support of government. Without a political power based on Islamic principles such a tax system is meaningless as it cannot be enforced.
Ahmad Niazi, graduate of Qom Seminary and Phd student of Al Mustafa international university
Source: political science journal, No. 3
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
The Concept of Theocracy
The Purpose of Government
