There is a common misconception that the Arab countries are following Khilafah. This is completely wrong, however most of them (including Qatar) follow Shariah-BASED laws. And it is utter stupidity to look up to Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Muslim world, it was one of the main players that worked to ABOLISH THE KHILAFAH, and establish monarchy (which is anti-Islamic) Here are some differences between monarchy and Khilafah: After the death of the last Prophet, the Shariah declares the Khalifa the head of State, who is different from a monarch in many ways: •An absolute monarchy follows heridity. The Khalifah is elected by a Shura (or advisory council) consisting of people who fulfill certain criteria, whether Muslims or non-Muslim. •The monarch formulates laws and may change them as and when he wills. The Khalifa is merely an instrument to implement God’s law on the people. •If the Khalifa tries to impose laws that conflict with the Shariah, the people have the freedom to disobey him, and the obligation to rebel against him if he does not correct his ways. The Shura has the power to impeach such a Khalifa. •Taxes which are imposed must be within the Islamic limits; Zakaat from the Muslims and Jiziya from the non-Muslims is taken only from those who can afford it. This wealth is then distributed to the poor, old and retired, and other deserving members of society. •Unlike that of a monarch, the status of a Khalifa is that of a common man except for his authority. Laws apply to him and claims can be made for which he may even be summoned in court, and be treated with the same laws that apply to everyone else. He cannot get away with crime or injustice on account of his status as Khalifa. •Taxes are NOT to be imposed on certain natural resources, and all people may use them free of charge. Also some other features of Khilafah: •Not only is all education free, but all university students are granted scholarship money to fulfill their expenses. •Rebellion against an unjust ruler is OBLIGATORY. •And last but most importantly, all people are equal, whether Shudras or Brahmins, black or white, Dalits or not. Economic inequality does not exist, and people are only high on the basis of their virtue. Unlike democracy, which is never perfect in real life, there are many examples of Khilafahs that satisified the people. the best is perhaps that ruled by Umar bin al Khattab from 634-644. At his death in November 644, his rule extended from present day Libya to the Indus river (present day Afghanistan) and the Oxus river in the north. Umar never fell short of his definition of justice: “By God, he that is weakest among you shall be in my eye the strongest, until I have vindicated for him his rights; he that is strongest I will treat as the weakest, until he complies with the law.” Unfortunately, Indian democracy today can be described as the exact opposite of this statement, where those in power get away with crimes as heinous as genocide (and even become the favourite for next PM!), and the weak yet innocent ones rot in jail for crimes that they did not commit. Such was the status and respect of women that the prophecy of Muhammad PBUH had come true “By Allah, Islam will prevail till a lone woman covered in jewels will travel in the dark of the night from Sana (in yemen) to Hadarmaut, and fear none but Allah.”
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:08:49 +0000
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