PMS 2019 Solved Islamiat Past Papers | The Political System of Islam and Other Religions
The following question of PMS Islamiat 2019 is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted using the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, who have scored the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked about the Political system of Islam as compared to other religions, compared with the period of Khuleefa Rasheeden. The first part is an outline, breaking the question into different parts. Moving further, the Political system of Islam, compared to other religions, is a critical analysis and conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2- An overview of the Political system of Islam
3- How does the Political system of Islam, as compared to other religions, compare with the period of Khuleefa Rasheeden?
- ✓Concept of Tauheed in Islam vs. monotheism and multitheism in other religions
- ✓Islamic concept of Prophethood in Islam vs. religious personalities (Pops, Fathers, Pandits, Rabbi, etc) of other religions
- ✓Islamic concept of Khilafat vs. political leadership of other religions
- ✓Islamic concept of Shura vs other religions’ decision-making process
- ✓Islamic constitution vs. other constitutions
- ✓Rules of accountability of rulers in Islam vs other religions accountability-cum nepotism and biasness
- ✓Independent judiciary in Islam vs. Bound judiciary in other religions
- ✓Human rights in Islam vs. human rights in other religions
4-Critical Analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The country’s prosperity would surely be influenced by the political structure that supports any economic system. Thus, a robust and capable political system is the fundamental building block of any country. However, the political systems of a society reflect the values that the majority of its members hold dear. Determining such values in an Islamic community requires an analysis of the core principles of Islam. Nonetheless, Islam provides direction in many areas of life and is a comprehensive rule of conduct. Consequently, Islam’s political structure is distinct and even subverts the political standards of other religions. Islam’s political structure is the most significant because of its concepts of tauheed and prophethood, Shura, Khilafat, and the ruler’s accountability.
An overview of the Political system of Islam
Islam’s political components are based on the Quran, ḥadith literature, and sunnah, as well as the history of Islam and other political movements. The term “caliphates” referred to the Islamic empires that succeeded Muhammad. Four caliphs ruled the early Islamic kingdom: Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭab (Umar I, 634-644), Uthman ibn Affan (644-656), Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib (656-661), and Abu Bakr (632-634). Early caliphates conducted political talks with a council (Shura) consisting of delegates from various Arab tribes, most of whom were elected or chosen from within their tribes, and Muhammad’s close and trustworthy associates (ṣaḥaba).
How does the Political system of Islam, as compared to other religions, compare with the period of Khuleefa Rasheeden?
“The decision (hukm) is only for Allah. He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges” (Qur’an, 6:57).
- Concept of Tauheed in Islam vs. monotheism and multitheism in other religions
According to Islam, tawheed means “belief in God’s absolute unity and universality, that is, the perspective on God. It means Allah is the absolute sovereign, and all the authority and sovereignty belong to Him. Therefore, all political, economic, and social systems always follow His teachings. For instance, the first Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr, waged wars against those who refused to pay Zakat, a required alms in Islam. However, Tawheed and monotheism are not the same thing. Monotheism is the belief in a single ultimate god found in Christianity and Judaism.
On the other hand, he may find other gods or objects of fear or love less important. For example, it holds that the Torah and the Talmud are sacred texts and God is the only divine authority. Additionally, the Almighty God in Christianity functions as the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is not allowed in Islam. Islam, in contrast, sees God as the ultimate authority and absolute sovereign.
But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah” (Noble Qur’an, 13:31).
- Islamic concept of Prophethood in Islam vs religious personalities (Pops, Fathers, Pandits, Rabbi, etc.) of other religions
Prophethood in Islam holds that the holy prophet (PBUH) is Allah’s last prophet, whereas faith in earlier prophets is also required. Regarding politics, the economy, society, and personal life, his (PBUH) teachings were comprehensive. In the political teachings and standards of the holy prophet, the themes of Shura, ʿadl (justice), and maslaha (public interest) are prominent. In the final few weeks of his life, in 632, Muhammad issued an order to invade Syria to exact revenge for the Muslims’ defeat at the Battle of Mu’tah a few years before. It was Usama ibn Zayd who led the campaign.
Nevertheless, the expedition was sent out, but the army was forced to return to Medina shortly after they left because of the news of Muhammad’s death. To reiterate Usama’s order, Caliph Abu Bakr stated, “Who am I to withhold the army that the Holy Prophet had ordained to proceed? Come what may, let Madina stand or fall, the Caliphate live or perish, the command of the Holy Prophet shall be carried out.”
However, the divine orders were altered in different religions. These days, their pops, rabbes, and pandits oversee the political command. For example, according to Jewish tradition, Ezra recompiled the Torah during the Second Temple period. According to the Talmud, Ezra replaced the ancient Hebrew alphabet used to write the Torah with what the Talmud refers to as Assyrian writing, which they acquired from Assyria.
- Islamic concept of Khilafat vs. political leadership of other religions
The three major monotheistic religions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all share the idea of prophethood. However, it has a unique status and meaning in Islam. Islam holds that Allah created humans to glorify Him and live moral lives guided by His precepts. Prophethood, however, is a boon and favour that Allah bestows on a person He has selected to share His word.
- The Islamic concept of Shura vs. other religions’ decision-making process
The consultative decision-making process known as Shura in Islam is distinct from the decision-making processes of other religions in several respects. God has power in Shura, and decisions must adhere to Islamic law. The people in Western parliaments are sovereign and have the authority to create their own constitutions and laws. Shura strongly emphasises using agreement to achieve social fairness and harmony. Other religions’ decision-making procedures, however, can differ significantly. For instance, according to Al-Jazeera, in Hinduism, choices may be based on elder wisdom or philosophical debates. However, some Christian denominations, councils, or synods may make decisions frequently informed by scripture and tradition. The Torah and Jewish law (Halakha) play a significant role in Judaism’s decision-making process, where people must review religious books and seek advice from rabbis. However, according to the Talmud, Ezra switched the Hebrew alphabet to transcribe the Torah to Assyrian. Shura generally encourages involvement and communication, emphasizing the importance of reaching a consensus to achieve justice and harmony within the community.
- Islamic constitution vs. other constitutions
The foundation of Islamic constitutions is Allah’s sovereignty, which sets them apart from those of other religions. The concept of sovereignty in Islamic constitutions differs from that in Western constitutions. For example, Caliph Abu Bakr said, “O people, I have been put in authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do the right thing, then help me. If I do wrong, then correct me. Truthfulness is a sacred trust, and lying is a betrayal. The weak among you is strong in my sight. I will surely try to remove their pain and suffering. And the strong among you is weak to me. I will, if Allah will, fulfil the rights in full. When obscene things spread among nations, calamities continue to descend upon them. As long as I obey Allah and His messenger, you should obey me. If I do not obey Allah and His messenger, then obedience to me is not an obligation upon you. Now, stand for the prayer; may Allah have mercy upon you.” Hence, Islamic countries have constitutions that perfectly conform with Allah’s will. On the other hand, Jewish law is based on the Torah, or Jewish constitution. Every interpretation and application of Jewish law, including the centuries-long changes made by Rabbis, stems from the ideas and procedures found in the Torah. Furthermore, the Vedas—which are regarded as the oldest and most authoritative texts in Hinduism—as well as other important works like the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and various Puranas—all of which offer teachings on philosophy, ethics, rituals, and practices that are essential to the religion—form the foundation of Hinduism’s constitution.
- Accountability of rulers in Islam vs. other religions, accountability criteria
Islam holds administrators responsible to both Allah and the people they govern. They are held accountable to Allah for all their actions, to the people for their policies, plans, and results, to adhere to Islamic law, to be responsible for their deeds, and to be held responsible on the Day of Judgment, which binds them to equality and justice. For instance, Thabit ibn al-Hajjaj reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable and evaluate yourselves before you are evaluated, for the Reckoning will be easier upon you tomorrow if you hold yourselves accountable today.”(Muḥāsabat al-Nafs li-Ibn Abī Dunyā). In contrast, accountability is somehow in the hands of upper caste members like pandits and gurus in Hinduism, which support the caste system. Furthermore, priests in the Taoist faith who establish the standards for laws and regulations by their own preferences are Taoist monks, also referred to as dashi.
- Independent judiciary in Islam vs. Bound judiciary in other religions
A fundamental tenet of Islamic law is the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. Under no circumstances may it be derogated from. Being impartial is one of a judge’s most important responsibilities. Everyone and every aspect of life can benefit from the impartiality principle in the Quran (4:135): “O you who believe! A major advancement in Islamic legal jurisprudence occurred during the time of Hazrat Umar when the judiciary was founded as an independent system dedicated to providing the public with prompt and equitable justice. Appointed judges, or “Qadis,” were in charge of deciding cases based on Islamic law (the Quran and Hadith); Umar particularly highlighted the significance of impartiality and accountability within the judicial system. The Christian tradition, on the other hand, incorporates the ideas of justice, judgment, and the function of judges, but these days, the popes, fathers, and clergies decide it by their own wishes. For example, corruption scandals between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek judiciary have made both organizations prominent; according to worldwide media, they have involved bribing of judges, drug running, and embezzlement.
- Human rights in Islam vs. human rights in other religions
There are several ways in which human rights in Islam are different from those in other religions, including The fundamental tenet of Islam’s commitment to human rights is found in Allah’s statement, “Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression” (5:2) Hazrat Umar’s political philosophy was founded on accountability, transparency, equality, and social justice. Yet Hinduism’s caste system impedes the equality of all people. For example, the Brahmins (priests, intellectuals), Kshatriyas (warriors, leaders), and Vaishyas (merchants, traders) are the three highest classes in the Hindu caste system. The Sudras, or manual labourers, and the Untouchables, or street people, are the two tiers of the lowest castes. In contrast to other religions that rely on man-made political ideologies that depend on the caste system, the will of popes, and clergies, Islam’s political system is based on divine laws and orders that include accountability, the rule of law, and justice.
“And Allah judges with truth, while those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge anything. Certainly, Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing” (Qur’an, 40:20).
Critical Analysis
The ideas of maslaha (public interest), adl (justice), and Shura are central to the moderate Islamic perspective. According to Shura, Islamic leaders are deemed to preserve justice if they advance the public interest. The broad Quranic mandate of “enjoining goodness and forbidding evil,” sharia, interest-based finance reform, and family values are all supported by Islamists, who are often viewed as anti-Zionist, anti-capitalist, anti-colonialist, and anti-communist. As a result, the political system of Islam differs from that of other religions.
According to Iqbal, the Islamic political system is based on spiritualism and is democratic.
Conclusion
Islam is a comprehensive set of standards that guide all parts of life. As a result, Islam has a distinct political framework that even opposes other religions’ political principles. The concept of Tauheed in Islam differs from monotheism and multitheism in different faiths, including the concept of prophethood, Khilafat, Shura, the Islamic constitution, and ruler accountability.
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