Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother,

Assalamu Alaikkum.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your noble efforts in the propagation of the Truth.

I have some questions, and hope you will give me a reply in the light of quran and hadhees, as soon as possbile.

I am an Indian working in Saudi Arabia, every one knows that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of Islam, where our Great Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was born.

My Question is:

1. here in Saudi Arabia, Wealthy people and big business men add title to their name as SHEIKH, HIS EXCELLENCY etc. Is it ISLAMIC ?

2. What Quran says about KINGDOM RULE, is it allowed in Islam. If not, what is the true islamic way of Governance.

I will greatly appreciate, if you could send replies to the above questions at the earliest.

Your loving brother in ISLAM

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Titles and kingdom rule

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your kind comments of encouragement for our humble efforts in the propagation of the Truth. If our humble and modest efforts have helped even one brother or sister get closer to Allah and His Deen of Truth, then we would consider ourselves indeed fortunate to have been given this opportunity by the Lord Most Merciful to serve in His Cause. We hope, beg, and pray the Merciful Lord accepts our humble and weak efforts, forgives us our shortcomings, and saves you, us, and all the believers from the torment of the Hell Fire. Ameen.

Q-1: here in Saudi Arabia, Wealthy people and big business men add title to their name as SHEIKH, HIS EXCELLENCY etc. Is it ISLAMIC ?

In reality, the only title of recognition and honor that Allah Subhanah has Himself bestowed on mankind is the Title of the Noble Office and Rank of Prophethood, which the Lord bestowed on His appointed Prophets.

All the other titles bestowed upon man are self-invented and man-made. There is absolutely no harm and within the boundaries of Islam if the State or Ruling authority of a nation wishes to bestow titles or ranks upon an individual so that one may be recognized for his duties like Commander of the Army, Chief of Police, Judges, Imams or Muaddhin of Masjids, etc.

To bestow the titles of or call oneself Sheikh or Amir, etc. would be acceptable in Islam; but to call a human being ‘His Excellency’ or ‘His Highness’ would definitely be inappropriate, for in Truth, Supreme Excellence and Highness belongs to none save Allah Subhanah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Q-2: What Quran says about KINGDOM RULE, is it allowed in Islam. If not, what is the true islamic way of Governance.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 38 Surah Saad verses 17-20:

17 Have patience at what they say and remember Our Servant Dawood, the man of strength: for he ever turned (to Allah).

18 It was We that made the hills declare in unison with him Our Praises at eventide and at break of day.

19 And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to Allah). ⁴¹⁶⁹

20 We strengthened his Kingdom and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 38 Surah Saad verses 35-40:

35 He (Prophet Sulaimaan) said "O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a Kingdom which (it may be) suits not another after me: for Thou art the Grantor of Bounties (without measure)."

36 Then We subjected the Wind to his power to flow gently to his order whithersoever he willed

37 As also the evil ones (including) every kind of builder and diver

38 As also others bound together in fetters.

39 "Such are Our Bounties: whether thou bestow them (on others) or withhold them no account will be asked."

40 And he enjoyed indeed a Near Approach to Us and a beautiful Place of (final) Return.

Allah and His Messenger have not specified a specified form of governance for mankind in Islam, not because (I seek refuge in Allah in saying this!) they forgot, but because any system of governance which holds the Word and Law of Allah Supreme in the land is absolutely acceptable and permissible in Islam. It may be a kingdom the likes of which Allah bestowed upon Prophets Dawood (a.s.) and Sulaimaan (a.s.), or the system of Khilaafah as practiced by the Righteous Khalifahs, or it may be my through the present form of democracy…..all forms of good governance are acceptable in Islam, provided the Word and Law of Allah Subhanah is held supreme in the land.

The guidance the Lord has given in maintaining governance in the land is through ‘mutual consultation;:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 42 Surah Shura verse 38:

38 Those who hearken to their Lord and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;

Thus in Islam, there is absolutely no harm if one has been bestowed with a kingdom to rule or the believers happen to live under a ‘Kingdom’ rule, provided the Ruler holds the Word and Law of Allah Subhanah as the Supreme Law in the land.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 4573 Narrated by Awf ibn Malik

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘The best of your rulers are those whom you love and who love you, who invoke Allah’s blessings upon you and you invoke Allah’s blessings upon them. And the worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and who hate you and whom you curse and who curse you.’ It was asked (by those present): ‘Shouldn't we overthrow them with the help of the sword, O Messenger of Allah (saws)’? He (saws) said: ‘No, as long as they establish prayer among you. If you then find anything detestable in them, you should hate their administration, but do not withdraw yourselves from their obedience.’

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan