⭑ A Historical and Legal Analysis of the Relationship Between State and Religion ⭑
Written by: Ḥāfiẓ Zubair
Throughout ancient civilizations, there existed a strong connection between religion and state authority. In the Sumerian civilization (5500–4000 BCE), this connection is clearly evident. This tradition continued across various civilizations until the Greeks, around 500–300 BCE, introduced the concept of separating religion from the state.
Although historical facts are not absolute arguments, they serve as contextual evidence and help reduce the skepticism of opponents. Most importantly, history demonstrates that religion has always been a natural human demand rooted in collective human consciousness.
Within the framework of social structure, religion plays a foundational role. Without social cohesion, society turns into a mere crowd. Religion is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining social coherence, and without a structured society, the concept of a state becomes meaningless.
The individual, the family, society, and the state are all integrated components of a unified social system.
Laws cannot be effectively enforced in a state without an ideological foundation. Law only becomes meaningful and implementable when it is grounded in a belief system accepted by the people.
This ideological basis, in its purest form, is religion.
Without religion:
➤ Law loses legitimacy
➤ Enforcement becomes arbitrary
➤ Moral commitment to law vanishes
The human psyche needs emotional and moral fulfillment, which can only be attained through religion. The human conscience seeks an external and satisfying authority, a role which only religion can fulfill.
Citizens are integral parts of a state. If the individuals adhere to a religion, but the state does not, it results in a fundamental contradiction.
A logically consistent state system must reflect the religious convictions of its citizens.
The ideal of justice that a state strives for cannot emerge from internal human instincts alone. It must derive from an external, moral authority.
That source of absolute justice and moral goodness is religion, particularly Divine revelation.
Allah has provided humanity with a complete system of life—Islam—for both worldly well-being and eternal salvation.
Through this Divine system, Allah has ensured the protection of:
➤ Religion (Dīn)
➤ Life (Nafs)
➤ Intellect (ʿAql)
➤ Wealth (Māl)
➤ Honor (ʿIrd)
Allah is not just a theorist, but also a functional judge who legislates, guides, and commands.
In Islamic terminology:
Two methods are employed depending on the situation:
➊ Moral persuasion – when Muslims are weak
➋ Power and enforcement – when Muslims are strong
According to Syed Abul Aʿlā Mawdūdī, the idea that religion is only relevant to personal life and has no role in governance is intellectually unacceptable.
If:
➤ Allah is the Creator,
➤ Owner, and
➤ Sovereign over humanity,
Then it is illogical to limit His authority to individual lives while denying it in collective affairs.
Mawdūdī powerfully argues:
"The notion that individuals are God's servants, but when they unite to form a society, they cease to be His servants, is absurd and sheer madness. If we claim to need no Divine guidance in any collective domain of life, then there is no justification for believing in God at all."
(Syed Mawdūdī, “The Corrupt Principles of Western Civilization”)
Religion and state are deeply interwoven,
Law requires religion as its moral backbone,
And Islam, as a complete way of life, demands implementation in both private and public spheres.
Secularism’s attempt to exclude religion from governance contradicts both reason and revelation.
A truly just and coherent state is only possible under the Divine system of Islam.
Written by: Ḥāfiẓ Zubair
❖ Historical Perspective
Throughout ancient civilizations, there existed a strong connection between religion and state authority. In the Sumerian civilization (5500–4000 BCE), this connection is clearly evident. This tradition continued across various civilizations until the Greeks, around 500–300 BCE, introduced the concept of separating religion from the state.
Although historical facts are not absolute arguments, they serve as contextual evidence and help reduce the skepticism of opponents. Most importantly, history demonstrates that religion has always been a natural human demand rooted in collective human consciousness.
✿ Sociological Perspective
Within the framework of social structure, religion plays a foundational role. Without social cohesion, society turns into a mere crowd. Religion is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining social coherence, and without a structured society, the concept of a state becomes meaningless.
The individual, the family, society, and the state are all integrated components of a unified social system.
◈ Legal Perspective
Laws cannot be effectively enforced in a state without an ideological foundation. Law only becomes meaningful and implementable when it is grounded in a belief system accepted by the people.
This ideological basis, in its purest form, is religion.
Without religion:
➤ Law loses legitimacy
➤ Enforcement becomes arbitrary
➤ Moral commitment to law vanishes
✦ Psychological Perspective
The human psyche needs emotional and moral fulfillment, which can only be attained through religion. The human conscience seeks an external and satisfying authority, a role which only religion can fulfill.
✔ Rational Perspective
Citizens are integral parts of a state. If the individuals adhere to a religion, but the state does not, it results in a fundamental contradiction.
A logically consistent state system must reflect the religious convictions of its citizens.
❖ Aesthetic Perspective
The ideal of justice that a state strives for cannot emerge from internal human instincts alone. It must derive from an external, moral authority.
That source of absolute justice and moral goodness is religion, particularly Divine revelation.
✿ Religious Perspective
Allah has provided humanity with a complete system of life—Islam—for both worldly well-being and eternal salvation.
Through this Divine system, Allah has ensured the protection of:
➤ Religion (Dīn)
➤ Life (Nafs)
➤ Intellect (ʿAql)
➤ Wealth (Māl)
➤ Honor (ʿIrd)
Allah is not just a theorist, but also a functional judge who legislates, guides, and commands.
In Islamic terminology:
- "Sharīʿah" is the Divine theory of governance.
- "Minhāj" is its practical methodology for implementation.
◈ Types of Addressees in Religion
Muslims:
- For them, revelation (Wahy) is the foundation of knowledge.
- Reason functions to interpret revelation, not override it.
- Faith is derived directly from revelation.
Non-Muslims (Kuffār):
Two methods are employed depending on the situation:
➊ Moral persuasion – when Muslims are weak
➋ Power and enforcement – when Muslims are strong
✿ Why Should a Muslim State Be Islamic?
According to Syed Abul Aʿlā Mawdūdī, the idea that religion is only relevant to personal life and has no role in governance is intellectually unacceptable.
If:
➤ Allah is the Creator,
➤ Owner, and
➤ Sovereign over humanity,
Then it is illogical to limit His authority to individual lives while denying it in collective affairs.
Mawdūdī powerfully argues:
"The notion that individuals are God's servants, but when they unite to form a society, they cease to be His servants, is absurd and sheer madness. If we claim to need no Divine guidance in any collective domain of life, then there is no justification for believing in God at all."
(Syed Mawdūdī, “The Corrupt Principles of Western Civilization”)
❖ Conclusion
From historical, sociological, legal, psychological, rational, aesthetic, and religious perspectives, it is evident that: Religion and state are deeply interwoven, Law requires religion as its moral backbone, And Islam, as a complete way of life, demands implementation in both private and public spheres.Secularism’s attempt to exclude religion from governance contradicts both reason and revelation.
A truly just and coherent state is only possible under the Divine system of Islam.
