CHARACTERISTICS OF ISLAMIC POLITICAL SYSTEM: A CRITICAL STUDY OF NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI’S APPROACH IN THE LIGHT OF THE QUR’ĀN

Abstract

This Article explores the characteristics of the Islamic political system contrasting these with the political ideas of Niccolò Machiavelli. The Islamic political system is grounded in the concepts of consultation (Shura system), justice and the welfare of the community. It emphasizes moral and ethical governance as enlisted in the Qur'ānic teachings. Its key elements include the sovereignty of Almighty Allah, the application of Sharia law, and the accountability of political leaders to both Allah and the community. In opposite to it, Machiavelli’s political theories, as presented in his books like “The Prince” and “the Discourse on Livy” often advocate for pragmatic methods to gain and maintain power. Machiavelli’s ideas focus on the effectiveness of political actions regardless of their ethical and moral implications, encapsulating his view that the ends justify the means. The aim of this critical analysis is to highlight the differences between the moral imperatives of Islamic governance and the Machiavellian realpolitik approach. By juxtaposing both these perspectives, the purpose of study is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the moral dimensions of governance and political leadership. It will include specific Qur'anic verses and Hadiths that outline the moral conduct expected of Muslim leaders, comparing these with Machiavellian doctrine of power gaining, manipulation, and statecraft. The study ultimately aims to demonstrate how the Islamic political system promotes a governance model that prioritizes moral and ethical conduct, justice and consultation, as opposed to Machiavelli’s more utilitarian and often morally detached approach.