God Arises
The Challenge of The Qur’an
~ 333 ~
In both democratic and despotic systems of
government, power is handed over to a single or a
few select individuals. In neither system, then, can
men be said to be equal, not even under democracy,
which has failed to produce equality although
formulated in its name. Due to inherent
contradictions, this system had likewise produced
the opposite of what was intended.
In fact, there is only one political philosophy that
does not contradict itself and that is the philosophy
put forward by the Quran. The Quran says that
only God has the right to rule over man: ‘Have we
any say in the matter?’ they ask. Say to them: “All is
in the hands of God” (3:154).
The idea of God as Sovereign makes for a coherent
system of thought, free from all forms of
contradiction. But when man is considered
sovereign, there are bound to be contradictions and
inconsistencies in the political theories that evolve.
The aim of all political theories has been to
eradicate the division between ruler and subjects.
Yet no human system, whatever its nature, has been
able to do this. In both the democratic and despotic
