System of Governance | نظامِ حکومت اور فساد

Generally when any matter is discussed regarding corruption, most people remain limited only to bribery, theft or moral degradation. But the reality is that corruption has many dimensions, and the biggest and fundamental dimension is the one on which the entire system depends - that is the system of government.

If the system of government is reform-oriented then society becomes reformed. And if that system itself is corrupt then its results are extremely terrifying. This is not a new matter. The Noble Qur'an provides us clear guidance about this-

Allah the Exalted says:

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا (Al-A'raf: 56)

Do not spread corruption in the earth after its reformation.

In this verse a deep reality is hidden. Allah has created the earth in a state of reform. And has given guidance to keep it established on reform-

Chapter Ar-Rahman

وَالسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الۡمِيۡزَانَۙ‏ ٧ اَلَّا تَطۡغَوۡا فِى الۡمِيۡزَانِ‏ ٨ وَاَقِيۡمُوا الۡوَزۡنَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ وَلَا تُخۡسِرُوا الۡمِيۡزَانَ‏

Despite the prohibition, humans have created corruption in it. Now if any system further increases this corruption then it is corruption upon corruption, and if it removes that corruption then it is reform.

What should the System of Government be like?

When we want to assess any government then first of all we should see what is the source of its system. Is that system based on justice? Does it safeguard the trust? Does it care for the weak? Or does it itself misuse power?

The Qur'an gives us a clear example:

وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ
(Al-Baqarah: 205)

And when he comes to power he strives on the earth to spread corruption and destroy crops and lineage. And Allah does not love corruption.

This verse is not talking about just one person. It is talking about a behavior. When power comes into the hands of those whose only purpose is to strengthen their own power, then the result is that the economy is destroyed (crops), and the future of society is endangered (lineage).

The most dangerous corruption is that which comes wearing the garb of reform. The Qur'an has mentioned such people:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ (Al-Baqarah: 11-12)

And when it is said to them do not spread corruption in the earth, they say we are only reformers. Beware! These are the ones who spread corruption, but they do not perceive.

Even today many governments and systems call themselves "reformers." But in reality they are doing those things which result in producing corruption. This is why one should not rely only on claims. The system should be judged by its results.

Government is a Trust, Not Personal Property

The Messenger of Allah said:

أَلَا كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَن رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَالْإِمَامُ الَّذِي عَلَى النَّاسِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَن رَعِيَّتِهِ (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Beware! Each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for those under his guardianship. And the leader who is appointed over the people is a guardian and is responsible for those under his guardianship.

This hadith is telling the true reality of government. The ruler is not the owner of the subjects, but their guardian. If he fulfills this trust then he has a reform-oriented system, and if he uses it for personal benefit then he has a corrupt system. Hazrat Umar Al-Farooq's statement clarifies this sense of accountability: "If even one dog dies of hunger during Umar's caliphate then Umar is responsible."

In another hadith the Prophet said:

خِيَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَكُمْ… وَشِرَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُبْغِضُونَهُمْ وَيُبْغِضُونَكُمْ
(Sahih Muslim)

Your best rulers are those whom you love and they love you. And your worst rulers are those whom you hate and they hate you.

This is a very simple and practical measure. If there is a relationship of love and prayer between the ruler and the people then the system is moving towards reform. If there is a relationship of hatred and curse then corruption is spreading.

Government is a Caliphate, Caliphate is a Trust, How should this Trust be Safeguarded?

Allah the Exalted commands:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا (An-Nisa: 58)

Allah commands you to fulfill the trusts to their rightful owners.

If positions are given on the basis of competence and trustworthiness then this is reform. If they are given on the basis of kinship, bribery or loyalty then this is corruption.

The Establishment of Justice

وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ (Al-Ma'idah: 8)

Let not the enmity of a people incline you to not do justice. Do justice, it is closer to piety.

The Islamic system of government is based on justice. It does not only talk about equity but talks about equality, that is, whoever has a right should get that right and whoever has a need should get that need.

The verse of Chapter An-Nahl, verse number 90

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَٰنِ

That is, after justice, the command of kindness is also there.

If the system takes care of the people's needs, their dignity and their future then it is reform-oriented. If it only cares for the benefit of the powerful then it is corrupt. (Capitalist system)

We should keep our eyes not on empty words but on practical measures and their results, and most importantly we should remember that government is a trust, and accounting for this trust will certainly happen one day.

To bring this change, youth should be brought into the national stream, and attention should be paid to the improvement of the system and curriculum so that a system of government based on justice can be established.

May Allah Almighty grant us such understanding that we can distinguish between truth and falsehood and play an important role in the implementation of a reform-oriented system. Ameen.