Al-Jazeera, Saudi Arabia, Originally posted in Arabic on June 17
We are often confronted with the question of what is the difference between a religious state and a civic one, and which form provides better governance in the Arab world. The answer is quite simple: religious states are ones ruled and governed by theocrats, no matter of which religion, claiming to be the agents of God on earth. They either view themselves as divine, or work with their clergy to enhance their authority as leaders. In medieval times, for example, Europe witnessed many bloody wars between theocrats. The Muslim world, similarly, is certainly not void of this phenomenon. To this very day, some Arab leaders view themselves as holy figures. In Iran, the Supreme Leader is viewed as a Jurist, who is in charge of the guardianship of the people. But Islam does not call for the theocratization of the state. When the Prophet’s successor, Abu Bakr, was appointed khalifah he called: “O People! I have been put in authority over you and I am not the best of you. As long as you see that I am following righteously, keep helping me, and if you see me even a bit out of it, correct me”. Our writings stand in complete contradiction to the notion of omnipotent human leaders. Anyone who reads the history of Islam over the centuries will easily discover this. What Islam really calls for is accountable worshipers who follow their faith out of religious devotion, not out of law and state policy. Civic states are the only way of doing so. – Muhammad Al al-Sheikh