Late President General Ziaul Haque had written a letter of commendation to Altaf Ahmed Kherie for his book “Islam – A Comprehensive Guide Book”.

In that he has discussed the Islamic values for good governance in the light of the verses in Holy Quran and practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). As he mentions all the fundamental Human Rights, the principle of equality of human beings and Islamic brotherhood, the right to freedom of speech, expression and conscience, the guarantees of safety of life, property and honor, the right of everyone to get his just dues, the right of governance by consultations are all enshrined in the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet’s sayings and his last sermon and his precepts and practice.

These did not remain merely as a paper declaration but were fully implemented and acted upon by the four rightly directed Caliphs, who performed all the functions of an Islamic State. According to H. G. Wells in ‘Outline of History’; “Abu Bakr and Umar are two master figures in history of Islam. Abu Bakr’s reign was short; but his achievements were momentous. His imagination and his determined leap into Syria and Iraq laid the foundations of the Arab World empire.

” Umar streamlined the administration of the Islamic state and created separate departments for justice, finances, military and police. All the four caliphs strictly observed the sanctity of governance by consultations and justice for all – including Non-Muslims equally. It is ironical that the principles of human rights and governance through consultations as enunciated over 1, 500 years ago by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) have been forgotten by Muslims but they have been adopted by the West in some way. The system of governance in USA appears to be based on the some of the same basic ideals as laid down in Holy Quran.

Examples for good governance were not only by the Holy Prophet but also by his immediate successors – the four rightly directed caliphs (Khulfa -i- Rshidin). In the light of different verses of Holy Quran, scholars like Altaf Ahmed Khairie and Dr. Fazlur Rehman Ansari have pointed out that the sovereignty belongs to Allah. Man is merely a vicegerent of Allah on the Earth and cannot be absolute owner possessing absolute sovereign rights. He can act only as a trustee and has to perform the duties as a ruler, in consultation with the Shura and according to the commandments of Holy Quran and as laid down in Sunnah.

a) Allah’s promise of granting power and authority is for those who believe and act righteously for the benefit of the society. And this authority must be exercised for establishing Islam and peace and to ensure justice, fair play and progress and to guard against oppression, injustice and wrong doings.

b) The role of Shura i.e. consultation to help the rulers in good governance has been part of our traditions and that paved the way of Parliament and Senate in the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

c) But the qualifications of rulers and their deputies as well the voters are two major areas where conformity to Islamic ideals needs to be ensured.

The qualification for bestowing authority or eligibility for an office for public administration would appear to be knowledge (qualifications), piety, fear of Allah and unflinching faith and ability to do justice in comformity with the standards of conduct as laid down in Holy Quran and the Sunnah. The qualification of piety would render such politicians ineligible to contest or vote if they have been convicted by a court of law of a sovereign state. The familiarity with the commandments and prohibition laid down in Holy Quran would be a must.

“Deenyat” or Islamic Studies has been a compulsorty subject in our schools but the courses need to be simplified and made more practical. It would do well if all the politicians and bureaucrats are made to undergo a refresher course relating to Justice, trust and other commandments of Holy Quran.

Source: http://www.netvert.biz/paklink/articles/governance2.html

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