State and Secularisation

• State governed according to Islamic principles


  An ideal for some Muslims but a concern for others
• Political and social influence of religious institutions


  A challenge to secularisation
• Models of Islamic governance

  • Madinah with its Constitution
  • Demand for shari'a
• Forms of government amongst majority Muslim countries range from democracy to 'theocracy', that is a religious government
• Shura (consultation)


  May be applied to democracy but different Muslims in different parts of the world disagree on the extent to which humankind can decide the law as opposed to implementation of revealed law
• Muhammad


  • Political, social, economic, and religious leader of Madinah
  • Set policies in all these areas
  • Sunna is considered a perfect example for Muslims to follow
• Charter or Constitution of Madinah

  Guaranteeing peace and mutual protection for all its people, regardless of tribe or religion
• Charter or Constitution of Madinah

  Could be taken to justify a secular state or interpreted to mean that religious leadership should be brought into all areas of life
• Muslim traditions including interpretations of dress, food, prayer etc. have become issues at times in western countries, encouraging debate about whether Muslims should do more to assimilate western culture or look to create states and communities where all such aspects of life can be governed according to various interpretations of shari'a
• Muhammad


  • Often consulted his companions and took care to lead with compassion
  • Did not impose unpopular laws or rules
• Shura (consultative council)


  Established by the Caliphs, might be used to justify democratic decision making
• Democracy in Iran is limited to those representatives and policies said to be in accordance with orthodox Islam, as interpreted by the supreme leader. This system is called 'theocracy'
• In Turkey for much of modern History, free democratic elections have been held