Quran’s Emphasis on Establishment of Religious Government

TEHRAN (IQNA) – There are some who say religion does not favor religious rule as they believe religion is not for this world but is only for life in the hereafter.  

Those who have this belief refer to some verses of the Quran to prove their point, but the fact is that there are many verses clearly highlighting the need for establishing a religious rule.

They include verse 105 of Surah An-Nisa: “Surely, We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, so that you will rule between the people by that Allah has shown you. So do not be an advocate for the traitors.”

In interpreting this verse, one should first establish what “the truth” means and why God says the Book is with the truth.

Before that, let’s see what scholars of political science say about governance. They say governance in history has been of four types:  monarchy, rule of elite groups such as the wealthy or the armed forces, republic (democracy), and religious governance.

The Quran says in true religious rule, the source of governance is divine, unlike that of other types of governance.

It has been narrated that Imam Sadiq (AS) told Abu Hanifa: “Do you think you are a pundit and can issue rulings? It is only the Holy Prophet (PBUH) whose rulings are correct not that of others because God only told the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ‘so that you will rule between the people by that Allah has shown you’”.

In verse 26 of Surah Saad, God says, “(We said): ‘David, We have made you a caliph in the earth. Judge with justice among people and do not yield to your own preference in case it should lead you from the Path of Allah. Surely, a terrible punishment awaits those who stray from the Path of Allah, because they forget the Day of Reckoning.’”

In this verse, Prophet Davoud (David) is introduced as God’s caliph.

According to verse 55 of Surah Al-Ma’idah, “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians,” governance and rule only belong to Allah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and those who have all-out command of what God wants to be done in the world. If the Book is a set of rules and regulations, one who is going to implement them should be with the truth and God shows him the criteria of being with the truth.