Public Administration in Islam

Khudadad Ahmad Mirza

Introduction

Islam is a unique religion that has a complete practicable code of conduct. It is a Deen which instructs people how to behave and carry out activities in a specific manner throughout their life. It is a guide, not just for the common man, but for world leaders as well. It also teaches the leaders of society the way in which they should rule and administrate their government.

We cannot deny that Islam has made significant contributions to the development of many professional fields and disciplines. History is a witness of such revolutionising advancements made by Muslim scholars, scientists, and inventers, who contributed to the field of medicine, surgery, physics, chemistry, philosophy, astrology, geometry, mathematics, natural and social sciences and numerous other fields. To name a few prominent figures:

• Abu Nasr Al-Farabi (872 – 950)

• Al-Battani (858 – 929)

• Ibn Sina (980 – 1037)

• Ibn Battuta (1304 – 1369)

• Ibn Rushd (1126 – 1198)

• Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi (780 – 850)

• Omar Khayyam (1048 – 1131)

• Thabit ibn Qurra (826 – 901)

• Abu Bakr Al-Razi (865 – 925)

• Jabir Ibn Haiyan (722 – 804)

• Ibn Ishaq Al-Kindi (801 – 873)

• Ibn Al-Haytham (965 – 1040)

• Ibn Zuhr (1091 – 1161)

• Ibn Khaldun (1332 – 1406)

• Ibn Al-Baitar (1197 – 1248)

These men are the shining stars of history in these fields and most of our current sciences could not exist without their efforts and contribution. Unfortunately, public administration in the light of Islamic principles and practices has been left out, resulting in the work and contribution of such scholars to be left unrecorded. One of the main reasons is that Muslim countries follow the path of the west because the west has more influence in their structural system than the Islamic principle.

Definition:

To understand the concept of public administration it is compulsory to learn the meaning of “Administration”. The English word “administer” is derived from a combination of two Latin words “ad” and “ministrate” meaning ‘to serve’ or ‘to manage’. Literally, the term “administration” means the management of affairs – public or private.

According to Oxford Dictionary: The word Administration is a Noun which is used for “The process or activity of running a business, organization, etc” and the administration is “The people responsible for running a business, organization, etc.” it also refers to “The management of public affairs; government”.[3]

There are many definitions and explanations associated to “administration”, which have been identified by the scholars within this field. However, none of them are fully definitive.

Here are some definitions.

Public administration may be defined as all processes, organizations, and individuals (the latter acting in official positions and roles) associated with carrying out laws and other rules adopted or issued by legislatures, executives, and courts.

John Machado Director Administration, Risk and Facilitation Management says: “Administration refers to the process of running an organisation, office or business. This includes creating rules & regulations, making decisions, management of operations, creating organisation of staff/employees/people to direct activities towards achieving a common goal or objectives”.

Administration involves administrators and coordinators creating the principles, rules, processes, and guidance for the creation of organisations and then ensuring their smooth running. Their management and operations are set to serve humanity. To ensure this smooth running, the above-mentioned exercises are performed by the staff and higher authority by using the accessible resources.

Are the people of higher authority achieving these targets successfully? The short answer is no.

Major Issues in Administration

Political Environment

Public Administration is used for the political environment, and politicians use it for their personal political agenda rather than the welfare of the public.

Transparency

Administrators act contrary to benefit themselves and not for the organisation. That is why transparency of the system is a big question.

Fraud and Corruption

Financial fraud and corruption are common practices in most of the state department and sometimes these acts of fraud and corruption are openly committed.

Racial Discrimination

Discrimination on race is another common issue of public administration. Discrimination is not just within the organisations but also against other organisation, customers, and humanity.

Islamic Administration

Sources of Islamic Administration are not dependant on manmade systems. It is based on the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. Each human being is a creation of Allah ﷻ and being a servant of Allah ﷻ, Allah ﷻ alone should be the focal point of servitude, loyalty, and obedience. The second principal for the Muslims in their life is the obedience to the Prophet ﷺ as the obedience to Prophet ﷺ is the only practical way of obeying Allah ﷻ. Allah ﷻ Says in his Noble Book.

“So, believe in Allah ﷻ and in His Messenger and in the Light that We have sent down. Allah ﷻ is fully aware of what you do.” [Surah Al- Taghabun 64:8]

It was explained by Holy Prophet ﷺ in the following words." “Whoever obeyed me, indeed obeyed Allah ﷻ; and whoever disobeyed me, indeed disobeyed Allah ﷻ” [Sahih Bukhari 7137]

Allah ﷻ Says in Holy Qur’an al Karim.

“And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of Zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.” [Surah Al-Ambiya 21:73]

Each of us has been given responsibilities as defined in the following Hadith of the beloved Prophet ﷺ.

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family, and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children, and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master, and he is responsible for it. No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Ṣaḥiḥ Bukhari 6719; Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 1829]

The principles of Islamic Administration Systems are clearly defined in the book of Allah

(58) Allah ﷻ commands you to deliver trusts to those worthy of them; and when you judge between people, to judge with justice. Excellent is the admonition Allah ﷻ gives you. Allah ﷻ is AllHearing, All-Seeing. (59) “Believers! Obey Allah ﷻ and obey the Messenger, and those from among you who are invested with authority; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah ﷻ and the Messenger, if you indeed believe in Allah ﷻ and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end” [Sura Al-Nisa 4:58-59]

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says about the administrators: (21:73) “And We made them into leaders to guide people in accordance with Our command, and We inspired them to good works, and to establish Prayers and to give Zakah. They worshipped Us alone.” [Surah Al-Ambiya 21:73]

Islam has set the same principles for every individual when the commands and judgements are implemented.

Narrated by the mother of the believers Sayyidah ‘Aisha (RA): “Usama approached the Prophet ﷺ on behalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet ﷺ said, "The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ) did that (i.e., stole), I would cut off her hand." [Sahih Bukhari 6787]

Qualities of Administrators in the light of Islamic Principles:

The administrator should be a true believer and possess the qualities which Allah ﷻ has mentioned in His Holy Book (2) The true believers are those who, when Allah’s ﷻ name is mentioned, their hearts quake, and when His verses are recited to them their faith grows, and who put their trust in their Lord;(3) who establish Prayer and spend out of what We have provided them. (8:4) Such people are indeed true believers. They have high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness for their sins and an honourable sustenance. [Surah Al-Anfal 8:2-5]

Let us see some more characteristics of an administrator

Truthfulness:

Truthfulness is a quality every person should have but even more so for an administrator.

Allah ﷻ has said: “Believers! Be upholders of justice, and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah ﷻ, even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor: for Allah ﷻ is more concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the truth), know that Allah ﷻ is well aware of all that you do.” [Surah Al-Nisa 4:135]

Responsibility and Accountability

The Administrator must be responsible and accountable for his actions and duties.

Hazrat Umar's (RA) golden words on accountability are: Dawud ibn Ali reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah ﷻ be pleased with him, said, “If a lost sheep under my care were to die on the banks of the Euphrates, I would expect Allah ﷻ the Exalted to question me about it on the Day of Resurrection.” [Ḥilyat al-Awliya’ 137]

Humbleness and Merciful:

The most beautiful character in human nature is being humble, merciful, and kind. The life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best example of such traits. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ honourable character had a major influence on the ignorant and backward-thinking people of Arabia at that time resulting in them accepting Islam.

Allah ﷻ Says in His Book:

The true servants of the Merciful One are those who walk on the earth gently and when the foolish ones address them, they simply say: "Peace to you" [Surah Al-Furqan 25:63]

Our beloved Prophet ﷺ explained mercy in the following way: Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷻ, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones, or acknowledge the rights of our elders, is not one of us.” [Musnad Aḥmad 7033]

Patience:

Allah ﷻ loves those who are patient and Allah ﷻ commands: “And resort to patience and Prayer for help. Truly Prayer is burdensome for all except the devout.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45]

Allah ﷻ gives glad tidings to those who are patient: “We shall certainly test you by afflicting you with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155]

Honesty:

Allah ﷻ commands that people should not try to benefit themselves through illegitimate means like bribery: “Do not usurp one another’s possessions by false means, nor proffer your possessions to the authorities so that you may sinfully and knowingly usurp a portion of another’s possessions.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188]

Respect for others:

Allah ﷻ commands:

"O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion (against others), for surely suspicion in some cases is sin; and do not spy (into other people's affairs), nor let some of you backbite others." [Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12]

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it (in the same terms at least)." [Surah Al-Nisa 4:86]

Courage:

The Holy Qur’an relates:

“When people said to them: 'Behold, a host has gathered around you and you should fear them', it only increased their faith and they answered: 'Allah ﷻ is Sufficient for us; and what an excellent Guardian He is!'” [Surah Al-Imran 3:173]

The Prophet’s ﷺ Farewell Sermon as a guide to Human Rights:

Holy Prophet ' ﷺ Farewell sermon is an eternal and universal guide to human rights and values such as equality, justice, peace, forgiveness, non-violence, and women’s rights. Every word of this sermon is a guide for the administrators.

Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah ﷻ has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived…

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white – except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim that belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah ﷻ and answer your deeds. So, beware: do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. [Sahih Muslim 2950]

Sayyiduna Umar (RA), a pioneer of Islamic Administration

To discuss the public administration and not to mention the name of Sayyiduna Umar (RA), is like discussing daylight without mentioning the sun.

Two days after his appointment as a caliph Sayyiduna Umar (RA), addressed the people. He said to them:

"I have been appointed as your leader, O' people, so understand that that harshness has become less, and it will only be applied to wrongdoers and oppressors. I will not allow anyone to oppress anyone else or to transgress the rights of others, but I will put his cheek on the ground and place my foot on his other cheek, until he submits to the truth. In contrast to that former harshness of mine, I will lay my own cheek on the ground before those who are humble and modest. o' people, I make some promises to you, which I will mention so that you will hold me to them. I promise that I will not take anything of your taxes or of the booty that Allah ﷻ grants to you except in the proper manner. I promise you that whatever I do take, I will not spend it except in the proper manner. I promise you that I will increase your stipends, if Allah ﷻ wills, and I will protect your borders. I promise you that I will not throw you into dangerous places or keep you away from your families for a long time to guard the borders; when you axe away on military campaigns, I will be responsible for your children until you come back to them. Fear Allah ﷻ, o' slaves of Allah, and help me by keeping your evil away from me and by enjoining what is good and what is evil and by giving me sincere advice with regard to the way I am running your affairs. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah ﷻ to forgive me and you."

Sayyiduna Umar (RA), led the Ummah and established many public administration departments where all the principals were set according to Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. During his era, no one was above law even the Khalifa himself. He was questioned many times and he himself appeared several times in courts. The following work is on his credit which cannot be denied.

• He organized and systemized the Public Treasury • He established a police force and established military offices

• Kept a record of the population

• He developed many cities including Basra, Kufa, Cairo, etc and built many canals in different provinces

• He provided housing for thousands of people

• He set up official governments in all conquered territory

• He carried out nightly patrols himself to check on the safety and needs of the public

• He aided needy Muslims as well as nonMuslims.

Sayyiduna Umar (RA) initially divided the state into eight administrative provinces for smooth control and effective running of the empire. The provinces were Hijaz, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, Jazirah (Mesopotamia), and the central province of Arabia. Administrators were ordered to not ride on the Turkish Horse, nor consume fine flour, nor keep a security guard on his door, and that his doors remain open for the needy. He set a strong system of accountability and every governor was strictly scrutinised to ensure that he is serving according to the commandments of Allah ﷻ and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

Conclusion:

Every day we come across the financial, social, and ethical crimes of the administrators and their co-ordinators. Such things have become the regular headlines of the press and social media. The main reason behind these scandals is that degrees and skills are given priority during the construction and structure of the departments and organisations, but the ethical values are completely ignored. When we discuss administrative system according to the Islamic principles then the most important factor is the development of the characters of all those involved according to the commands of Allah ﷻ and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. There is no doubt that knowledge is important, but the fear of Allah ﷻ and the character according to Holy Qur’an and Sunnah is key to run a system where self-rectification is always playing a major role for success.

“I have left behind two things, you will never go astray as long as you hold fast onto them i.e. the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.” [Muwatta Malik 1601]

Therefore, as Muslims, we need to believe and practise according to what is in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah; and try to practice the good administration as commanded by Allah ﷻ and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Khudadad Ahmad Mirza,

Alimiyyah graduate, immigration officer and student of Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz حفظه الله