Mauao Man

Is It an Obligation for Muslims to Establish an Islamic State?

Understanding the Religious, Jurisprudential, and Historical Basis for an Islamic State

Introduction: A Question at the Heart of Islam’s Identity

Is it an obligation for Muslims to establish an Islamic state? For some, this is a non-negotiable religious duty — a command from God to create a society governed by Sharia law, where divine principles dictate every aspect of life. For others, it is a dangerous idea — a mixing of faith and power that threatens personal freedom and human rights.

But where does this idea come from? Why do some Muslims believe it is their duty to establish an Islamic state, while others reject the idea entirely? This post explores the religious, jurisprudential, and historical basis for the belief that Muslims must work to establish an Islamic state, examining how this concept has shaped Islamic history and continues to influence the Muslim world today.

1. The Theological Basis: Sharia as Divine Law

1. Sharia Law Is Seen as God’s Command

For devout Muslims, Sharia (Islamic law) is not just a religious guideline — it is the divine law of God (Allah), meant to govern all aspects of life.
The Quran emphasizes that true believers must follow God’s law in all things:
- “But no, by your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you (O Muhammad) judge between them in all disputes between them.” (Quran 4:65)
- “And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, they are the disbelievers.” (Quran 5:44)

2. The Example of Muhammad and the Early Caliphate

The Prophet Muhammad did not only preach a spiritual message — he established a state in Medina, where he served as both religious and political leader.
After his death, his followers created the Caliphate, an Islamic state led by religious-political leaders known as Caliphs.
The first four Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali) are known as the “Rightly Guided Caliphs”, seen as the ideal model of Islamic governance.

3. The Quranic Basis for an Islamic State

“Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer, give zakat, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong.” (Quran 22:41)
- This verse is interpreted by many scholars as a command to establish a state where Sharia is enforced.
“You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Quran 3:110)
- This verse is used to justify the idea that Muslims must work to establish a society governed by divine law.

2. The Jurisprudential Basis: The Duty to Enforce God’s Law

1. Sharia Law Must Be Enforced by the State

Islamic scholars (Ulama) have traditionally taught that it is the duty of Muslim rulers to enforce Sharia law in any territory they govern.
In classical Islamic jurisprudence, the Islamic state (Dar al-Islam) is defined as any territory where Sharia is enforced.
Conversely, any territory where Sharia is not enforced is considered Dar al-Harb (the Land of War) — a place where Muslims are obliged to strive for the establishment of Islamic governance.

2. The Role of Jihad: Striving for an Islamic State

In Islamic theology, Jihad (struggle) is often defined as striving to establish and defend Islam.
This can include:
- Peaceful Jihad: Teaching, preaching, and spreading Islamic values.
- Political Jihad: Working to implement Sharia law through political means.
- Military Jihad: Defending or expanding the Islamic state through force (historically practiced by the early Caliphate).

3. The Concept of Dar al-Islam vs. Dar al-Harb

According to classical Islamic jurisprudence:
- Dar al-Islam (House of Islam): Territories where Sharia is enforced.
- Dar al-Harb (House of War): Territories where Sharia is not enforced, where Muslims may strive to establish an Islamic state.

3. The Historical Basis: The Legacy of the Caliphate

1. The Caliphate as the Model for Islamic Governance

For nearly 1,300 years, the Caliphate was the dominant form of government in the Muslim world, from the Rashidun Caliphate (632–661) to the Ottoman Caliphate (1299–1924).
During this period, the Caliph was seen as the successor to Muhammad, responsible for enforcing Sharia, leading the Muslim community, and protecting the faith.
The abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is seen by many Muslims as a great loss — the end of a unified Islamic state.

2. The Modern Islamist Movements

In the 20th and 21st centuries, many Islamic movements have called for the re-establishment of an Islamic state:
- Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt): Advocates for an Islamic state through democratic means.
- Hizb ut-Tahrir: Calls for a global Caliphate, rejecting secular democracy.
- ISIS (Islamic State): Attempted to establish a Caliphate through violent jihad.
- Taliban (Afghanistan): Enforces strict Sharia in areas it controls.

4. The Debate Among Muslims: Is It Always an Obligation?

1. Traditionalists: Establishing an Islamic State Is an Obligation

For traditionalist scholars (Salafi, Deobandi), establishing an Islamic state is a religious duty because Sharia is seen as God’s law.
They argue that without an Islamic state, Muslims cannot fully practice their faith.

2. Modernists: Focus on Personal Faith, Not Political Rule

Modernist Muslim scholars (reformist, Sufi) argue that Islam is primarily a spiritual faith, not a political system.
They believe Muslims can live out their faith without the need for an Islamic state.

3. The Middle Ground: Context Matters

Some scholars argue that the obligation depends on the context:
- In Muslim-majority countries, they may advocate for Sharia through democratic means.
- In non-Muslim-majority countries, they may focus on preserving Islamic values within the community.

Conclusion: An Obligation That Divides the Muslim World

For many Muslims, particularly those who follow traditional interpretations of Islam, establishing an Islamic state governed by Sharia is not just a dream — it is a religious obligation. They see it as the only way to live in true obedience to God, ensuring justice, morality, and divine guidance in all aspects of life.

But for other Muslims, especially those who embrace a more modern, spiritual interpretation of Islam, the idea of an Islamic state is unnecessary or even dangerous. They argue that faith is a personal matter, not something that should be imposed by the state.

This debate is not just a theoretical question — it is a source of division within the Muslim world, and it will continue to shape the future of Islam in the 21st century.

Inside a Pure Islamic State: What Sharia Law Looks Like in Practice
Between the Ideal and the Real: Why Modern Muslim States Don’t Reflect Pure Sharia
The Ideal Islamic State vs. Secular States: Like Oil and Water — They Don’t Mix
The Future of Islam in New Zealand: Growth, Integration, and Tensions
1,400 Years of Division: How Islam’s Ancient Conflicts Shape New Zealand Today

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.