Citizenship from a Prophetic Perspective: An Islamic Approach to Social Responsibility and Governance

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 29 October 2024 Citizenship in the contemporary world is largely defined by the nation-state, where individuals' rights and responsibilities are based on legal documents, borders, and political affiliations. However, Islamic teachings offer a broader perspective on citizenship rooted in divine principles, social responsibility, and justice. Main Points: · Islam does not limit citizenship to geographical borders or national identity. · Instead, it emphasises principles like justice, human dignity, and collective responsibility, ensuring the welfare of all individuals, regardless of their background or status. · The Qur’an and Hadith provide a timeless framework for building inclusive communities, ensuring that governance serves the common good. · By embracing these principles, both Muslim and non-Muslim societies can work toward a more compassionate and just world. Introduction Citizenship, in the modern world, is largely defined by the nation-state, where the rights and duties of the individual are found in legal documents, borders, and political affiliations. However, in the teachings of Islam, citizenship is defined within a broader view based on divine principles, social responsibility, and justice. The essay will explore citizenship from the prophetic viewpoint focusing on the values promoted by the Qur'an and Hadith. It also deals with problems that modern nation-state citizenship creates and presents Islamic remedies to make the system more inclusive, just, and equitable. The Concept of Citizenship in Islam Islam does not limit the grant of citizenship to territorial limits or national identity. Its principles emphasise justice, dignity of man, and mutual accountability to secure the well-being of every individual without reference to background or status. It is a sense of community accountability and governance with the individuals working for the common good in collaboration with the state. 1. Brothers and Brothers in Responsibility The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, “The believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This analogy underscores the principle of mutual support, where the well-being of one individual affects the whole society. Citizenship, therefore, extends beyond legal obligations to include social solidarity and care for others, promoting harmony and cooperation. 2. The Constitution of Medina: A Model of Inclusive Citizenship Among the earliest Islamic governance documents, the Constitution of Medina provides an example of a pluralistic society in which all Muslim, Jewish, and other groups were given equal rights and protection. The document indicated the Prophet's vision on the nature of citizenship, which is inclusive and founded on justice, cooperation, and shared responsibility. Non-Muslims also enjoyed freedom of religion as they were guaranteed security, illustrating that Islamic governance respects diversity while showing fairness to all. 3. Social Responsibility and Zakat Islamic teachings link citizenship with the obligation to contribute to social welfare. Zakat (almsgiving) is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to those in need. This ensures economic justice and reduces inequality, reflecting a model where citizenship includes caring for the vulnerable members of society. The Qur’an emphasises the importance of generosity, stating: "And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves-you will find it with Allah." (Qur'an 2:110). Governance and Participatory Approach: Shura and Accountability It is governance based on the principle of Shuraor consultation, which encourages participation and makes everyone accountable. Governance is not an authoritarian structure but is a system whereby leaders will consult the community to reflect the collective interest. "And those who have turned to their Lord, and established prayer and whose affair is decided by mutual consultation among themselves." 42:38. This further proves that the Prophet Muhammad practisedShura, where the Prophet sought advice from companions concerning matters of public importance. The participatory model gives an insight that governance under Islam is not a structure of top-down but more on dialogue and community participation. Modern Challenges of Nation-State Citizenship Today, the concept of citizenship is associated with the nation-state, which creates more or less several problems antagonising the Islamic vision of justice and inclusivity. Several issues are: 1. Exclusionary Nationalism Ethnic, racial, and religious barriers to citizenship in many states lead to exclusion of certain people due to certain barriers. Many refugees, immigrants, and stateless persons end up being excluded in the benefits provided by citizenship, and the result is discrimination and less access to basic services. Such exclusion goes against the Islamic concept of brotherhood across the world. 2. Right and Privilege Inequality In many countries, benefits of citizenship are not distributed with equal justice. Marginalised communities find it tough to access education, health, and employment facilities, further entrenching systemic inequities. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cautioned against such anomalies: "The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict legal punishments on the poor and pardon the rich" (Sahih al-Bukhari). 3. Emphasis on Legal Identity and Borders Modern citizenship often emphasises legal documentation, creating barriers for those without proper identification. Stateless individuals and refugees frequently lack access to their basic rights because their legal identity is not recognized. This focus on state affiliation undermines the Islamic ideal of universal justice, where every individual is entitled to dignity and care, regardless of their nationality. Islamic Solution to Modern Citizenship Challenges These can be achieved through Islamic values by promoting inclusiveness and justice and accountability. Here are some ways that Islamic principles may address these issues: 1. World Brotherhood and Unitedness The Islamic teachings promote a worldwide unity state that cuts across all national borders. The Qur'an declares: O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. (Qur'an 49:13). This verse encourages the realisation of diversity and the mutual respect of people to one another. Islamic citizenship seeks moral responsibility towards all humans, not only within a defined state or nation. 2. Preservation of Human Dignity and Rights The Qur'an speaks on this in its verses, and for example, says, "And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam" (Qur'an 17:70). That means all human beings deserve dignity and respect in one form or another irrespective of the legal status of people or nationality. The very Islamic way of governance seeks well-being for the human, where no person has a right deprived based on frivolous discrimination. 3. Economic Justice and Redistributive Policies Distribution of wealth by Islamic teachings solves or eases economic inequalities. Zakat ensures that the average flow of wealth within society has the poor and less privileged benefiting from it. Institutionally, institutions of Waqfcan be used to fund public services in health and education. Meanwhile, the system embodies the principle that being a citizen is contributing to the common good. 4. Participatory Governance and Accountability The Islamic model of governance rests on the basis of the principle of Shurathat encourages public participation in decision-making. The consultative nature ensures that governance remains accountable and responsive to the needs of the people. Leaders are seen as servants of the community, which is reminiscent of the prophetic teaching: "The leader of a people is their servant" (Sunan Abu Dawood). This can inspire modern governance systems to be more inclusive and participatory. 5. Pluralism and Protection of Minorities The Constitution of Medina serves as a model for protecting minorities' rights within an Islamic framework, ensuring that all communities would be treated with justice and fairness. Islamic governance serves to provide an alternative to nation-states' exclusionary practices regarding citizenship, which should neither be tied to religion or ethnicity but to the grounds of justice and mutual respect. Conclusion: A comprehensive concept, the concept of Prophethoodallows for social responsibility, justice, and the notion of incorporation. A citizen is rather divided into nations in most modern systems, but through Islam, he or she is integrated globally and in mutual care for one another. Citizenship therefore goes far beyond a system of strict legalistic requirements under Islam, encompassing principles such as Shura, zakat, and protecting human dignity. In addressing challenges of exclusion, inequality, and statelessness, Islamic teachings propose practical solutions to inspire contemporary societies toward greater justice and equity. The Qur'an and the Hadith form a rich framework that guides the realisation of inclusive communities, thus ensuring that governance serves the common good. Adhering to these tenets will bring Muslim as well as non-Muslim communities closer to a more humane and just world. ------ A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at JamiaMilliaIslamia and freelance journalist. -------------- URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/citizenship-prophetic-islamic-social-governance/d/133575 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism