The Method of Establishing an Islamic Government

(Friday Sermon: February 21, 2025 – Final Segment)

Current Efforts

Every Muslim knows that Islam is the only religion of peace. Through Islam, peace will be established in families, nations, and the world. However, this is only intellectual acknowledgment. Weaknesses in Iman and lack of conviction prevent this knowledge from being translated into action. The practice of democracy is widespread. Due to the democratic method of electing leaders, oppressive and unjust rulers are always elected. Some may oppress less, and others more, but the difference is minimal. Each time, after the fall of one oppressive ruler, the people hope that the next ruler will establish Islam or form an Islamic state.

However, it is essential to reflect on whether the method we are adopting to establish an Islamic state is correct. Is it possible to establish an Islamic state through these efforts? Has the Qur’an and Hadith prescribed that an Islamic state should be established through democracy? Has Allah commanded or the Prophet taught us to block roads, hold meetings, processions, and rallies, shout through microphones to provoke some people while annoying others to establish Islam?

Absolutely not. These are all teachings of democracy, created by the British and other Westerners, such as Abraham Lincoln, who had no knowledge of religion but possessed satanic wisdom for the destruction of Iman.

Fundamentals of Islamic Governance

Many people think that cutting off the hands of thieves, executing robbers, flogging or stoning fornicators, etc., are what define an Islamic state. But the essence of an Islamic state lies in justice.

اِنَّ اللهَ یَاْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْاِحْسَانِ وَ اِیْتَآیِٔ ذِی الْقُرْبٰی وَیَنْهٰی عَنِ الْفَحْشَآءِ وَالْمُنْکَرِ وَ الْبَغْیِ ۚ یَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَکَّرُوْنَ ﴿۹۰﴾

Translation: Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He instructs you so that you may be reminded.

Allah commands us to uphold justice. The first arena of justice is within one’s heart. A person must be just to themselves by obeying Allah’s commands and refraining from what He has forbidden. Justice must be exercised toward parents by fulfilling their rights, which include seven obligations while alive and seven after their death. Justice must be maintained with one’s spouse by fulfilling their rights, teaching them religion, and utilizing them in religious service.

Similarly, justice must be upheld for children by raising them to be good, religious individuals. This justice extends to one’s siblings, ensuring their rightful inheritance after parents’ death. Justice must also be extended to non-Muslims, animals, and every aspect of creation.

Islamic Rule During the Time of Isa (AS)

When Isa (AS) returns to earth, he will establish justice and uphold peace throughout the world.

قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم : والله لينزلن ابن مريم حكما عادلا ، فليكسرن الصليب ، وليقتلن الخنزير ، وليضعن الجزية ، وليتركن القلاص ، فلا يسعى عليها ، ولتذهبن الشحناء والتباغض والتحاسد ، وليدعون إلى المال فلا يقبله أحد

Translation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “By Allah, the son of Mary will descend as a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the swine, abolish the jizya tax, and abandon the use of camels, so no one will chase after them. Hatred, envy, and malice will disappear. He will call people to wealth, but no one will accept it.” (Mishkat al-Masabih 5506: Kitab al-Fitan)

No creature will suffer injustice, and no harm will come from one to another. Even children will play with snakes, the snakes will not harm them. This is justice, which embodies Islamic governance.

The Method to Establish Islamic Governance

To establish Islamic governance, Muslims must work tirelessly to strengthen their faith and practice. Although some efforts are being made through Tabligh and Dawat-ul-Haq, this task is the responsibility of all Muslims, not just a select few. When this effort becomes widespread, justice will prevail.

However, many Muslims neglect these responsibilities, failing to teach their children Qur’an and Hadith or send them to madrassas. They avoid distributing inheritance fairly to their sisters or paying their wives’ mahr. Such weaknesses in Iman lead to widespread disobedience of Islamic laws.

Reflect: Are we upholding the justice that Allah commands us to establish? If not, how can we expect to establish an Islamic government? Allah will never grant power to those who misuse Islam as a banner while engaging in incorrect methods like protests and rallies.

Qualities of an Islamic Leader

Islam does not prescribe elections but selection. A leader must meet at least ten qualifications, such as being a devout Muslim (not a woman), competent, honest, and free from corruption.

The disbelievers invented democracy to hinder the establishment of Islamic governance, and even so-called Islamic leaders promote it as “Islamic democracy,” which is an oxymoron. Democracy, socialism, nationalism, and capitalism are all barriers created by disbelievers to prevent Islam from being established.

Allah’s Method

Allah commands us to strive for strengthening of Iman and improving deeds.

وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَیَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِی الْاَرْضِ کَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۪ وَ لَیُمَکِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِیْنَهُمُ الَّذِی ارْتَضٰی لَهُمْ…

Translation: Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the land as He granted it to those before them, and He will surely establish for them their religion that He has chosen for them… (Surah An-Nur: 55)

Allah has outlined the method for striving: strengthen Iman, ensure good deeds, maintain modesty for women, and so on. If Muslims follow these steps, Allah promises succession on earth. This effort not only ensures reward from Allah but may also result in the gift of Islamic governance.

A Message to Islamic Leaders

Efforts made incorrectly will neither earn rewards nor establish Islamic governance. Leaders are urged to focus on strengthening Iman and good deeds among people, as governance is Allah’s responsibility, not ours.

Worthiness Leads to Islamic Governance

When Muslims become worthy through sincere efforts in faith and deeds, Allah will grant them Islamic governance. Until then, efforts will be rewarded, even if governance is not granted.

May Allah grant us the understanding and ability to act upon His guidance. Ameen.