The functions of the political system in the Prophet’s society

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Center for Political Science and Thought Academy of Islamic Sciences and Culture

Abstract

Many political thinkers believe that the basic function of political systems is the establishment of social order and satisfaction of the demands of the members of political societies to reach the ideal situation and the happiness of the members. Since the state is most important source of the codification of rules, enforcement of decisions, and allocation of spiritual and material needs, it searches for mechanisms which provide the ground for the establishment of the ideal order. That in what kind of structure and on the basis of what values political systems can realize such functions has resulted in a vast range of theories. Islam is a collection of divine teachings revealed to the Prophet in the form of the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions forms its foundation. Thus, the Prophet was in search of moral goals for politics. As a result, morality was with the Prophet before the establishment of a state because Allah is the origin of all laws. But in non-religious approaches the morality of the state comes after the establishment and after the need for rules of social order. On the basis of such epistemological foundations, the Prophet’s state assumes functions such defense of Shari'a, promulgation of Shari'a, establishment of social order, commanding the good and prohibiting the evil, social integrity.

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