The Concept of Siyasa (Governance) in Islam

Question

An excerpt from the book “Sirat Khatam al-Anbiya” (“The Biography of the Seal of the Prophets”), compiled by the respected Hazrat Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafi‘ Deobandi, may his shade be prolonged, presently residing in Karachi (Pakistan). (a) “No religion is complete in which there is no politics (siyasa); no politics is complete which is not accompanied by the sword,” and so on. In connection with this passage, please explain: what is siyasa within the religion of Islam? And what siyasa is needed here in India?

Answer

(12–1) The essence of siyasa is that creation be set right in such a way that it attains salvation in this world and the next. This siyasa — both in its particular and general sense, both in its outward and inward dimension — is the office of the noble prophets, peace and blessings be upon them; in its outward dimension, particular and general, it is the office of rulers…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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