3.4 The State and Statelet that are established in the Islamic World
and their present situation
Among the 29 Islamic states, only one is in Europe, which is Albania, whereas the rest are equally distributed in Asia and Africa. These Islamic states accommodates the majority of Muslims in the World. Nevertheless, there are religious minorities in these countries. It is quite rare to cite Islamic states where Islam has such a sweeping percentage as it has in the Arab Peninsula (99.1%) or in Somalia (99 %) or Turkey (98. 8 %). Instead, it is much more common for minorities to form 5- 10 % of the total population as is the case in Egypt and Iraq. But this percentage may climb up to one-quarter of the population as in Sudan or Pakistan. The percentage may also amount to one-third of the population as in Albania, the only Islamic state in Europe.
Islam is naturally held to be the "national religion" of the Arab world whether it is stipulated by the Constitution, as in Egypt, where Islam is the official religion of the state, or as the national religion while at the same time ensuring freedom of other beliefs as in Iraq. Or it may not be strictly stipulated as in Syria where Islam is simply considered the basic source of legislation. Nevertheless, these cases do not mostly make the state a religious state on account of the minorities within its boundaries.
In fact, all Muslim countries, ranging from the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula to the modernist adaptations of Egypt, Iraq and Syria and the more radical experiments in Libya and Iran. Muslims everywhere are seeking to create societies which should be seen clearly to be Islamic and at the same time they should remain active participants in the modern world. The synthesis has so far eluded their grasp but the portent are propitious. There is a long road ahead of sweat, sacrifice and toil. In the eighties, the vast oil revenue available to some Muslim countries are an important new factor.
3.4 The State and Statelet that are established in the Islamic World
and their present situation
They should help consolidate the Muslim world at least on one issue -Palestine. The world public opinion is certainly moving in the direction of sovereign, independent state of Palestine.
In the fragmented politics of Syria and Iraq increasing awareness of Islamic identity, Sunni in the first case and Shiite in the latter, is sufficient to destabilize what in any case are precarious regimes. Islam in these two countries provide an identity and a vehicle for protest for majority communities at odds with their governments because they feel deprived of their fair shares of political power, disapprove of most, if not all, aspects of their governments' foreign policies, and in general feel that their culture, in which religion is but one element, is under direct threat.
Islam, which had played a crucial role in the growth of nationalism and in the anti-colonial struggle, continue to play an equally important role even after independence. This new role must be seen in the context of the historical background of Islam. In recent years numerous independent Muslim states have emerged in Asia and Africa. Coincidental with their emergence national organizations and parties have come into being, intent upon basing their forms of Government on the principles of Shari'ah. Various views have been advanced as to the proper form of Islamic rule and the manner of formulating constitutions compatible with the requirements of Islam and capable of achieving its purpose.
Because of their wide geographic distribution, Islamic states comprise different peoples, cultures, traditions customs, and forms of governments. The needs of these states vary with different locations and social environments. Hence no one uniform constitution would be applicable to all, since the circumstances and...
3.4 The State and Statelet that are established in the Islamic World
and their present situation
...interests of each country call for interpretations based on independent reasoning in order to produce the constitution most compatible with the purposes sought by the Shar'iah. Indeed, this variety of constitutions and forms of government may be more effective in realizing the objectives of Muslim law than a single uniform constitution, provided they comply with the general principles of the Shar'iah and the moral norms of Islam. This is because the diversity in laws regulating public matters may be in itself necessary for the realization of the purposes of the Shar'iah, which aims at the interests of the Muslims living under different conditions.
The emergence and evolution of Islamic jurisprudence, together with the diversity of views advanced by scholars and jurists who sought to interpret its provisions and who were definitely affected by their local conditions and circumstances, may be a good guide to what we think is right in this regard.
Thus, the Islamic constitution sought by the Indonesians, Pakistanis, Arabs, or other Islamic peoples maybe similar and compatible in essence although different in their details -the laws, decrees, and proceedings rendered necessary by the needs and the general welfare of the community.
What, then, are the ideal constitution and Islamic form of government capable of unifying Muslims without hampering legislative and social evolution, as called for by the requirements of justice and general welfare at a given place or time?
3.4 The State and Statelet that are established in the Islamic World
and their present situation
Upon perusal of the Glorious Qur'an and Islamic traditions (sunnah), and upon examination of Islamic history during the era of the orthodox caliphs, we find that Islam is definite and conclusive on all general principles suitable for all principles suitable for all times, places, and peoples. When these principles are implemented, therefore, one can witness the flexibility of the shariah and its disposition to independent reasoning. The shar'iah in effect upholds the guidance given by the Prophet in his utterance, "you know best your earthly matters." Thus the way is open for reason and human judgment to distinguish between right and wrong and to choose the road to the general welfare.
This is perhaps the virtue of Islam which renders it an eternal way of life and law for all mankind and thus upholds the pronouncement of the Almighty, "Surely We have revealed the Qur'an and surely We are its Guardian." For if Islam were otherwise, it would not have been a religion easy to observe. It would have caused hardship to people at various times and places and would not have met the challenge of their changing needs.
Thus with the clarity of Islam on general principles and morals, the fact that it relegates many matters to settlement by interpretation and reasoning is not a source of weakness in its eternal laws but of continued life.