❖ Islam and the Role of Politics – Two Extremes
In the present era, two extreme ideologies exist regarding the relationship between Islam and politics.On one end is secularism, and on the other is the extremist mindset that considers politics the primary goal of Islam.
Both these attitudes are based on excess and deficiency, and fail to grasp the balanced perspective of Islam.
❖ Secularist Ideology
According to secularism, Islam—like other religions—is considered merely a personal and individual matter. In this ideology:
- Religion is restricted to belief and worship alone.
- Politics and governance are entirely separated from religion.
◈ Background:
This ideology emerged in reaction to the corrupt practices of Christian theocracy and gained popularity with the rise of secular democracy.
◈ Role of Religious Circles:
Certain religious groups limited their efforts solely to belief, worship, and moral reform, considering political activity to be outside the scope of religion.
This stance further strengthened the secularist ideology.
❖ Declaring Politics as the Sole Objective of Religion
On the opposite extreme, some individuals have declared politics as the only and ultimate goal of religion. According to them:
- The primary purpose of Islam is to establish a just political system.
- All other religious efforts—such as spiritual reform, preaching and teaching, and societal correction—are subordinate to politics.
- Those engaged in religious work outside political activism are considered ignorant of the “true purpose” of Islam.
❖ Islam’s Balanced Perspective
Islam’s message encompasses all aspects of life. It is not limited to beliefs and acts of worship alone, but also provides comprehensive guidance in financial dealings, social conduct, and political matters. However:
✔ Politics is
Politics is a part of Islam, but it is incorrect to regard it as the primary goal of the religion.
✿ Example:
Just as Islam has given fundamental guidance for trade and marriage, yet has not declared them the actual purpose of religion, likewise, politics should be viewed as one aspect of Islam—not its main objective.
❖ The Purpose of Human Creation
Allah the Exalted has clearly stated in the Qur'an:
"وما خلقت الجنّ والاِنس اِلّا لیعبدون"
(Surat adh-Dhariyat: 56)
Translation: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
❖ Meaning of Worship (ʿIbādah)
Worship refers to servitude to Allah and obedience to His commands.
① Direct Acts of Worship:
Such as Ṣalāh (prayer), Ṣawm (fasting), Ḥajj (pilgrimage), and Zakāh (almsgiving).
② Indirect Acts of Worship:
Acts performed for worldly benefits but, when done according to the Sharīʿah and for the pleasure of Allah, become worship—like business and politics.
❖ Status of Politics
When politics is conducted according to Allah’s commands and for His pleasure, it can become an act of worship.
However, it is not a direct act of worship, and therefore:
➡ It must not be given superiority over essential religious acts of worship.
❖ Importance of Politics and Misconceptions
➊ Prioritization Between Politics and Religion
Considering politics as the sole objective of Islam undermines the importance of other vital acts of worship.
"الّذین ان مكّنّاھم فی الاٴرض اٴقاموا الصّلوة وآتووا الزّكوٰة..."
(Surat al-Ḥajj: 41)
Translation: "Those who, if We grant them authority in the land, establish prayer, give zakat, and enjoin good and forbid evil..."
This verse highlights the priority of Ṣalāh and Zakāh even during times of political empowerment.
➋ Impact on the Spirit of Worship
Viewing worship as merely a political tool distorts its spiritual essence, such as:
- Interpreting congregational prayer as a means of organizational discipline.
- Considering fasting as training for enduring hardship.
- Viewing Ḥajj as a political conference of Muslims.
These perspectives weaken the real purpose of worship, which is to strengthen one’s connection with Allah and act for His pleasure.
➌ Undermining Other Religious Fields
Those who focus on spiritual reform, preaching, or religious education are deemed unaware of Islam’s “real objective”.
Books on Ṣūfīsm, spirituality, and virtuous deeds are labeled irrelevant or misleading, despite these being significant branches of religion.
➍ Mission of the Prophets
If politics is assumed to be the main goal of Islam, then this leads to the erroneous conclusion that most Prophets (peace be upon them) failed to fulfill their mission, as only a few of them established political rule.
Conclusion
- Politics is an important aspect of Islam, but not its sole or primary objective.
- Islam is a comprehensive way of life, encompassing all spheres—spiritual, social, economic, and political.
- The efforts of different individuals in various religious fields are all essential and complementary.
- Considering only one field as the complete or sole purpose of Islam, and diminishing the rest, is an imbalanced and extreme stance.
