Following is an unofficial translation by The Jordan Times of the final communiqué of the 16th conference of the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought:
In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
Upon an invitation from the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, its academy held its 16th conference under the main theme "A Modern, Viable and Sustainable Islamic State Enterprise" in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan between 12-14 Shawwal 1434H, corresponding to 19-21 August 2013AD.
Covering three subthemes, the scholars participating in the conference presented 35 research papers that tackled the following topics: the concepts, elements and components of the state and all issues related to its overall structure, governance, social contract, civil society and the rights of people or citizens as far as Islamic thought is concerned vis-à-vis the Western thought, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. Participants also reviewed the evolution of the related theory and practice throughout history.
The scholars taking part in the event examined the concepts related to modern, or contemporary, state and their linguistic andterminological meanings.
Participants explained that the heritage of Islamic political thought -- including fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) books and those written on al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya (politics and leadership in Islam) has not given an exact definition of modern state. In fact, Islam does not embrace a specific and detailed system of governance that is mandatory for Muslims, but it rather sets principles, fundamentals and broad guidelines pertaining to the purposes of the Islamic Sharia (law) and leaves it for Muslims to take these guidelines as a starting point to decide the nature of a system of governance that suits the age they live in, environment and needs. Participants also reviewed case studies of political systems applied by states in old and modern times. They underlined points of convergence anddivergence and if each was qualified to be viable and sustainable.
Participants pointed out that the state in Islam, as a modern state, has a legal personality involving the entirety of its citizens, including the Muslim majority and the other religious and ethnic components, who are all bound by the bonds of humanity and religious brotherhood. In the Islamic state, all enjoy equal rights, freedom and equity and are committed to fulfilling their duties and obligations.
The esteemed scholars worked relentlessly to formulate their vision for a modern Islamic state that is based on the general principles related to the purposes of the Islamic Sharia, which are meant to ensure social justice and respect of human dignity, among other principles that guarantee the viability and sustainability of the state. They maintained that the state in Islam is a civic state founded on institutions, shura and justice. In such a state, the nation is the source of authorities as permitted by Allah, with no restrictions except when that contradicts with an established legitimate interest and the rules of the Sharia.
Participants stressed that the ultimate purpose of the state's Islamic authority is ijtihad (legal reasoning), and such authority cannot not be restricted to a certain group or body for merely raising the banner of religion.
They exchanged viewpoints over the elements the state should have to ensure its viability and sustainability, concluding that these include a system of governance that takes into account the rights of Allah and those of people, envisages justice and the doing of good, abides by the purposes and rules of Sharia and specifies in detail the state's structures, the powers of its higher leadership and the tasks vested in those working in the judiciary, administration, legislation and the other sectors.
In light of the significance of the main topic discussed at the conference under the current circumstances in the Arab and Islamic world, which is witnessing political changes, bloody events and differences between people in their visions for the future of their countries and the systems of governance there, participants came up with the following recommendations:
The emergence of a modern Islamic state cannot occur except by divine guidance, without excessive adherence to certain intellectual interpretations and historical models. It is essential to open up to and benefit from modern experiments.
Participants deem that the most feasible model of a viable and sustainable Islamic state is a "civic state" where trustworthy and competent specialists rise to power, each in their field, in accordance with the provisions of a constitution based on respect of the law and equality between citizens from all ethnic and religious spectra, in a manner that does not contradict the general principles of true Islam.
Participants emphasise that the function of the modern state that ensures its continuity is to exercise its legitimate powers on the bases of shura rather than tyranny. The state should be in the service of society, ensure justice for all away from any form of discrimination, regulate the exercise of freedoms, preserve and protect places of worship for all faiths and work for the happiness of its citizens, secure them jobs and preserve their dignity.
Participants emphasise that the diversity of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence (mathaheb) is something that is supposed to bring Muslims closer rather than push them apart. In general, such pluralism is a blessing because it provides diverse solutions to the problems of the Ummah (Islamic nation). We can benefit from the different opinions and interpretations, a matter which broadens perspective, as mentioned in the Amman Message and the Respect of Mathahib Conference. Accordingly, participants reject the use of intra-religious sectarian conflict and inciting it as a means to solve problems that emerge within the state. They stress the freedom of opinion and faith and the sanctity of human blood, reject the takfir (apostasising of others) approach and applying it in political conflicts and urge the enactment of strict laws that address such a phenomenon in all its details.
They emphasise the role of religious institutions and efforts by scholars to promote the concept and values of the state and entrench a spirit of unity and harmony among all the components of society.
Participants emphasise the need to reject violence regardless of its source and reasons and stress that the will of people should be respected as they express their opinions and ideas within the boundaries of the laws, values and observed norms. They value the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif as it works earnestly to achieve internal and external peace and security and value the various documents it has issued with the aim of stopping bloodshed and achieving national reconciliation.
Participants in the conference reject the use of intra-religious sectarian conflict and inciting it as a means to solve problems that emerge within the state, even if these problems arise as a result of breaching the social contract. Strict laws should be enacted to prevent that, they recommend, stressing that problems should be solved only through peaceful means, dialogue and understanding.
Participants underline the importance of the link between development and the environment and the importance of education, scientific research and the moral matrix, stressing the need to invest in these aspects and preserve them in implementation of divine orders and in a way that ensures the Islamic state viability and sustainability.
They stress the significant role of civil society organisations and religious endowment (waqf) institutions, urging the establishment of more waqf institutions, which enable the state to perform its socio-economic duties and contribute to the development and advancement of Islamic societies, especially in the fields of education and health. They can also provide assistance to refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands.
Participants sent a cable to His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein voicing their appreciation, gratitude and pride for His Majesty's continuous support for the institute and lending his patronage to its 16th edition and the warm welcome and hospitality they received in the Jordan.
Participants had the opportunity to meet His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein who delivered an address in which he called on Muslim scholars to play a role in addressing the problems facing the Ummah. Participants voiced appreciation for the role played by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in presenting Islamic conceptions of modern society values and systems, future visions and efforts to address the issues, problems and challenges of the present.
© Jordan Times 2013
