⭑ The Fallacy of Declaring Islam as Apolitical ⭑
Written by: Khalid Waliullah Balgari
During the late 1990s, while studying in the 10th grade at Gilgit Public School, students were often taught through rote memorization. One such subject was the English novel “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. The opening line —
"His personality was an odd combination of strange contradictions"
— left a lasting impression, eventually aiding in the understanding of various contradictory modern concepts, such as the term “apolitical Islam”.
The phrase “non-political Islam” is inherently contradictory and stems from modern intellectual environments. To grasp this concept, we must first examine the definition of politics and its scope. Under the influence of Western philosophy, politics in our societies is commonly understood through Greek and European frameworks, such as:
But what about Islamic politics? How does Islam, as a comprehensive way of life, view politics?
The Arabic word “Siyasah” is derived from “Sīs”, meaning management and regulation. In Urdu, it refers to governance and statecraft. In English, “politics” comes from the Greek “Politikos”, meaning “affairs of the city”.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, politics is:
“The set of activities and strategies used to influence or determine the policies of a government or state.”
History proves that the first Islamic State in Madinah, established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was:
➤ Founded on religious principles,
➤ Built through strategic political planning,
➤ And presented Deen and politics as inseparable components of one unified system.
In Sahih Bukhari, under Kitab al-Anbiya’, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The affairs of Bani Israel were managed by their prophets. Every time a prophet died, another would succeed him. But after me, there will be no prophet; instead, there will be many caliphs.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith confirms the deep interconnection between religion and politics, as even the Prophets governed political affairs.
Modern Western statehood evolved by separating religion from governance, promoting secular democracy. Religion was confined to the church, while collective decision-making was based on majoritarian rule.
This model became dominant globally. In the Indian subcontinent, British colonial rule introduced Western political ideologies, which continued to influence minds even after the formation of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Movement emerged from resistance to British imperialism and was based on the idea that Muslims are a distinct political and religious nation. However, post-independence influences led many to view religion and politics as separable, endorsing Western democracy as the ideal.
Renowned Orientalist Professor William Montgomery Watt, in his book Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman, writes:
“Islam presented a complete economic, social, and political system, in which religion was an inseparable element.”
(Muhammad at Medina, p. 224)
He further notes:
“At that time, Arabs viewed all systems—political, economic, or social—as unified. Politics and economics without religion were unimaginable.”
(Muhammad at Medina, p. 225)
The primary sources of Islam—Qur’an and Sunnah—offer direct political guidance. The Prophet’s ﷺ life in Madinah demonstrates Islamic principles of governance, justice, consultation (shura), treaties, and law.
In Islam:
➤ Deen and politics are not separate entities.
➤ They function as mutually reinforcing spheres.
➤ The Prophet ﷺ established a cohesive political and social system, rooted in Divine guidance.
Calling Islam “non-political” is a denial of historical and religious reality. Islam is a comprehensive system of life (Deen), encompassing:
✔ Worship
✔ Ethics
✔ Social order
✔ Governance
✔ Justice
The attempt to separate religion from politics stems from Western colonial thought, which is fundamentally opposed to Islamic principles.
Islam has always been, and will always remain, a political religion in its essence—guiding not just personal piety, but also the collective affairs of the Ummah.
Written by: Khalid Waliullah Balgari
❖ Educational Background and Initial Realization
During the late 1990s, while studying in the 10th grade at Gilgit Public School, students were often taught through rote memorization. One such subject was the English novel “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. The opening line —
"His personality was an odd combination of strange contradictions"
— left a lasting impression, eventually aiding in the understanding of various contradictory modern concepts, such as the term “apolitical Islam”.
✿ The Contradictory Notion of “Apolitical Islam”
The phrase “non-political Islam” is inherently contradictory and stems from modern intellectual environments. To grasp this concept, we must first examine the definition of politics and its scope. Under the influence of Western philosophy, politics in our societies is commonly understood through Greek and European frameworks, such as:
- Plato’s Ideal State
- Rousseau’s Social Contract
But what about Islamic politics? How does Islam, as a comprehensive way of life, view politics?
◈ Politics: Definition and Scope
The Arabic word “Siyasah” is derived from “Sīs”, meaning management and regulation. In Urdu, it refers to governance and statecraft. In English, “politics” comes from the Greek “Politikos”, meaning “affairs of the city”.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, politics is:
“The set of activities and strategies used to influence or determine the policies of a government or state.”
✦ Islamic Politics: A Doctrinal Framework
History proves that the first Islamic State in Madinah, established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was:
➤ Founded on religious principles,
➤ Built through strategic political planning,
➤ And presented Deen and politics as inseparable components of one unified system.
❖ Hadith on the Integration of Deen and Politics
In Sahih Bukhari, under Kitab al-Anbiya’, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The affairs of Bani Israel were managed by their prophets. Every time a prophet died, another would succeed him. But after me, there will be no prophet; instead, there will be many caliphs.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith confirms the deep interconnection between religion and politics, as even the Prophets governed political affairs.
✿ The Western State Model and Its Impact
Modern Western statehood evolved by separating religion from governance, promoting secular democracy. Religion was confined to the church, while collective decision-making was based on majoritarian rule.
This model became dominant globally. In the Indian subcontinent, British colonial rule introduced Western political ideologies, which continued to influence minds even after the formation of Pakistan.
◈ The Pakistan Movement and Its Political-Islamic Roots
The Pakistan Movement emerged from resistance to British imperialism and was based on the idea that Muslims are a distinct political and religious nation. However, post-independence influences led many to view religion and politics as separable, endorsing Western democracy as the ideal.
✦ Western Scholars Acknowledging the Political Nature of Islam
Renowned Orientalist Professor William Montgomery Watt, in his book Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman, writes:
“Islam presented a complete economic, social, and political system, in which religion was an inseparable element.”
(Muhammad at Medina, p. 224)
He further notes:
“At that time, Arabs viewed all systems—political, economic, or social—as unified. Politics and economics without religion were unimaginable.”
(Muhammad at Medina, p. 225)
❖ Islam Has Never Been Apolitical
The primary sources of Islam—Qur’an and Sunnah—offer direct political guidance. The Prophet’s ﷺ life in Madinah demonstrates Islamic principles of governance, justice, consultation (shura), treaties, and law.
✔ The Role of Deen in the State
In Islam:
➤ Deen and politics are not separate entities.
➤ They function as mutually reinforcing spheres.
➤ The Prophet ﷺ established a cohesive political and social system, rooted in Divine guidance.
❖ Conclusion: “Apolitical Islam” Is a Baseless Concept
Calling Islam “non-political” is a denial of historical and religious reality. Islam is a comprehensive system of life (Deen), encompassing:
✔ Worship
✔ Ethics
✔ Social order
✔ Governance
✔ Justice
The attempt to separate religion from politics stems from Western colonial thought, which is fundamentally opposed to Islamic principles.
Islam has always been, and will always remain, a political religion in its essence—guiding not just personal piety, but also the collective affairs of the Ummah.