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In Imam Ghazali’s view the sovereign or ruler is on a dignified position because he is the vicegerent of God on earth. In this regard, he strictly has to follow the commandments of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. Al-Ghazali wants to see him possessing the following attributes. He holds:

“The office of the ruler is very high and responsible; it primarily requires the full display of the traits of justice and mercy. It is the vicegerency of God on earth. No worship is greater in the eyes of God than the justice of a king is. A rule with out justice and mercy is the vicegerence of Satan, since no evil can do more mischief than the misgovernance and oppression of the ruler. He should clearly understand the importance and purpose of life on earth, and believe that earthy

154_{Rizwi, Syed Wajid, Good Governance, Ahsan Tarz-e-Hukamrani (Lahore, Maqbool Academy,}

life is only a temporary phase of one’s existence. During the transaction of a state business, a ruler should always keep the following considerations.

1. He should imagine himself to be in the position of the being ruled and his subjects in his position, so that he may not do unto others, what he does not wish to be done unto himself. If he does not act upon this maxim his kingdom will soon be shattered.

2. He should not take it ill if the needy come to his door. To help a Muslim is better than to be engaged in supererogatory prayers.

3. He should discipline himself to lead a life of temperance and self-denial. 4. He should strive to do his work gently without any tinge of severity.

5. He should endeavour to satisfy one and all, if that be possible without violating the Divine commands.

6. He should not try to please anyone at the sacrifice of the laws of religion. 7. He should realize the great responsibility of his office. There is no good

greater than the power to help others and he who does not do his duty towards the people is a wretch.

8. There is no sin greater than this except apostasy. Therefore, he should always love to be in the company of the pious scholars, listen to their instructions and avoid impious scholars.

9. He should not only control himself, but also his subordinates and never tolerate their imperious behaviour. Justice means acting in accordance with the dictates of reason, and not of passions. He should curb his anger. 10. He should penetrate to the essence of things, instead of looking merely at

their form, since justice is rooted in wisdom.

The practical model of conduct which Al-Ghazzali keeps before himself are the Prophet, his immediate companions, especially ‘Umar, the pious caliph, ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz’, and those kings and caliphs who ruled over the Muslims and always bore the spirit of Islam in mind”. 155

155

Umaruddin, Professor. M. The Ethical Philosophy of Al-Ghazzali, (Lahore. Pakistan. Institute of Islamic Culture, 1988). P, 208,

Syed Abul A’la Maududi was also very mush impressed from the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his companions especially the pious caliphs who ruled not only on a large piece of land rather upon the hearts of people. In this respect, he puts the following qualities necessary for a sovereign.

™ Firstly, he should not be tyrant, fasiq and fajir. ™ Secondly, he should not be ignorant, and foolish ™ Thirdly, he should not be corrupt, dishonest,

™ Fourthly, he should be wise, knowledgeable, thoroughly comprehending an affair. ™ Fifthly, he should be pious, faithful, kind, and a practical doer of virtual deeds. ™ Sixthly, he should be physically strong and healthy

™ Seventhly, he should be honest. 156

Allah almighty called sovereign in the Holy Qur’an Ulil-Amr and Khalipha. Syed Abul A’la Maududi put the following attributes of a sovereign in the light of Holy Qur’an. He says that sovereign should accept the principles under which the responsibility of the government would come upon him. In his, book Islami Riyasat (Islamic State) he puts the following conditions for a sovereign of an Islamic state.

™ Should be a Muslim ™ Should be a Man

™ Should be wise and mature

™ Should be a citizen of Islamic state 157

Khushal Khan’s Concept of Sovereignty

Khushal Khan Khattak wrote a full book on the concept of sovereignty/ chieftainship or leadership, which depicts the character, qualities, capabilities and potentialities of sovereign. To him the sovereign is a man of a turban and for him then is required some qualification, which would be mentioned here in forthcoming paragraphs. It indicates that Khushal Khan Khattak had a great political insight and could judge, that what the best qualities are required for a sovereign ruler or leader.

156

Maududi , Syed Abul A’ala, Khilaphat-o-Malukiat, edition, 29th (Lahor, Idar-e-Tarjumanul Qur’an, 2005), PP, 37-41,

157

Prof. Arif Naseem says about it in “Few Words” that:

“Dastar Nama is a masterpiece of work of Khushal Khan Khattak’s literary treasures. This book deals with the art of statesmanship and contains the necessary balanced agreeable qualities, manners, ethics, etiquettes and decorum required for a ruler and a leader. We may say with authority that this book may be placed with Machiavelli’s internationally known book- “THE PRINCE”

DASTAR / TURBAN