Course: RIS 445: GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN ISLAM (2 Credits/Compulsory)

Transcription

1 Course: RIS 445: GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN ISLAM (2 Credits/Compulsory) Lecturer: ADEBAYO, Rafiu Ibrahim B.A. (Ed.) Islamic Studies (Ilorin), M.A., Islamic Studies (Ilorin) Ph.D Islamic Studies (Ilorin) Department of Religions, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. Nigeria. Office Location: Department of Religions, Faculty of Arts Complex Consultation Hours: Fridays 10:00am 12:00 pm Course Content: Qur anic teachings on governance. Prophetic model of governance in Madinah. Qualities of ulul-amri. Shura: meaning, mode and scope. Detailed study of al-adlu wal-ihsan in Qur an 16:90. Islamic perspectives on international relations, diplomatic, bilateral and multilateral. An examination of selected treaties, letters and covenants signed during the prophetic era and subsequent Islamic governments of the salaf. Course The course is designed to introduce students of Islamic Studies to the Islamic model of governance as demonstrated by the Prophet and his Rightly-Guided Caliphs. There is no doubt that the Prophet had left behind a model of administration that has not been surpassed by any civilization. The manner of his administration as soon as he settled down in Madinah, the constitution drafted to ensure peaceful co-existence among the Muslims as well as with adherents of other religions he met at Madinah demonstrated the leadership model of the Prophet. His interactions and diplomatic relations with the outside world as documented in some of letters and covenants he signed during his time clearly show that his administrative style deserved to be emulated. This course therefore will put the students through these points raised. Course Justification: It cannot be said precisely that the Prophet left a definite method of electing a leader or a successor, but he certainly put in place a practical mode of governance, which was earnestly followed by his companions who adopted various means of

2 choosing their leaders. It therefore becomes imperative to allow students understand the modes of choosing a leader and the qualities of good leadership. Islamic Studies as a discipline has many branches ranging from the Qur an, Hadith, Fiqh, Sirah, to Falsafah and Sufism. Ilm al-kalam (Islamic Theology) is also an aspect of these branches. It therefore becomes essential that students of Islamic Studies be exposed to this course for them to have balance knowledge of governance and administration in Islam. It is an undisputable fact that Islam is a comprehensive way of life, which covers every aspect of human endeavour. The religion, which touches such minute aspects of life as mode of dressing, greeting, toilet habits and etiquette of eating among others, could not have kept quiet on the affairs of the state. To prove this, it becomes justified to expose students of Islamic Studies to the concept of governance and administration in Islam. Course Objectives: The general objective of the course as an integral part of the B.A/B.A (Ed) Islamic Studies is to provide the students with the basic knowledge of the Islamic political system, governance and administration. The objectives of this course therefore are: *identify some Qur anic teachings on governance; *explain the prophetic model of governance; *describe the concept of Shura; its meaning, mode and scope; *explain the Islamic perspectives on international relations, diplomatic, bilateral and multilateral relations; * examine selected treaties, letters and covenants signed during the prophetic era and subsequent Islamic governments of the salaf. Course Requirements: It is compulsory for students of Islamic Studies to undertake this course. In view of this, students are expected to participate in all the course activities and have minimum of 75% attendance to be able to write an examination. They will also be expected to treat the study questions and assignments. Students are also expected to be computer literate for them to have access to relevant information on the course. Methods of Grading: No. Item Score % 1 Class attendance 10 2 Class assignments/test 20 3 Comprehensive final examination 70

3 Total 100 Course Delivery Strategies: The lecture will be delivered through face-to-face method, lecture method, while students will be actively involved in the lecture. In addition, students will be encouraged and required to read around the topics. Students will be directed to visit some websites where information on the topics in the course could be retrieved. The delivery strategies will also be supported by tutorial sessions and review of study questions. Adebayo, R.I. (2010), Islam, Democracy and Good Governance: A Glimpse of the Islamic Political Thought ; Orita Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, vol. XLI. Salisu Shehu, (2007), Social Justice & Leadership Responsibility in Islam. Lagos, Islamic Heritage Foundation. Sharif, M.M. (1966), A History of Muslim Philosophy. vol. 1. Wiesbaden. Hardie J. B (tr) (2000) Sayyid Qutb Social Justice in Islam. Kuala Lumpur, Islamic Book Trust. Lectures: Week 1: The Meaning of and sources of Islamic Administration At the end of this lecture, the students should be able to define the word administration. They should be able to mention sources of Islamic administration. The course outline will be introduced with emphasis on the objectives and delivery strategies. There and then the meaning and sources of Islamic administration will be discussed. 1. What do we mean by administration? 2. Vividly discuss the sources of Islamic administration. Al-Buraey, M.A. (1990), Management and Administration in Islam, Dhahran. Pp

4 Week 2: Qur anic Teachings on Governance The students should be able to identify some Qur anic verses that speak on governance. This topic will be discussed based on the Qur anic concept of governance. This implies that references will be made to the Qur an on the concept of governance right from the inception of man. 1. With reference to the Holy Qur an, discuss the concept of Governance in Islam. Adebayo, R.I. (2010), Islam, Democracy and Good Governance: A Glimpse of the Islamic Political Thought ; Orita Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, vol. XLI. Mawdudi, A. (1988), Political Theory of Islam (eds), in Islam: Its Meaning and Message; London, The Islamic Foundation. P. 7. Week 3: Islamic System of Government and other forms of Government The objective of this topic is for the students to be able to compare and contrast the Islamic system of government and other forms of government. This topic will expose the students to different forms of government. Such systems of government as theocracy, aristocracy and democracy shall be discussed, while a comparative analysis of these will be made. 1. What is democracy? 2. Can Islamic mode of government be described as being democratic? 3. Distinguish between theocracy and Islamic mode of governance. Al-Buraey, M.A. (1990), Management and Administration in Islam, Dhahran. Pp

5 Olagunju, H.I. (1993), The Concept of Politics in Islam in Abubakre, R.D, Akanmidu, R.A & Alana, E.O. (eds), Religion and Politics in Nigeria. NASR. Pp Qaradawi, Y. (1998), State in Islam. Cairo, El-Falah. Pp Week 4: Prophetic Model of Governance in Madinah. The students should be able to explain the prophetic model of governance in Madinah. The constitution put in place by the Prophet when he migrated to Madinah still remains relevant up till today. As such, the nature of the prophetic model of governance shall be discussed. 1. Discuss the content of the constitution prepared by the Prophet while at Madinah. 2. What is the relevance of the Madinan constitution to the contemporary period? Baderin, M.A. (2000), The Evolution of Islamic Law of Nations and the Modern International Order: Universal Peace through Mutuality and Cooperation ; The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 17, No. 2. Pp Haykal, H. (1982), The Life of Muhammad. North American Trust Publications. Pp Rahim, A. (1983), Islamic History. Lagos, Islamic Publications Bureau. Pp Week 5: The Rightly-Guided Caliphs and their method of governance At the end of the lecture, the students should be able to describe how each of the caliphs emerged and their methods of governance. In Islamic history, each of the Rightly Guided caliphs emerged as caliphs following different methods of selection. This lesson shall examine this. Also, there is no doubt that the Rightly-Guided Caliphs have laid a solid foundation of a system of governance which follows the teaching of the Qur an as well as the practice of the Prophet. The lesson will also discuss this extensively.

6 Study questions: 1. How did Abu Bakr emerge as the first caliph in Islam? 2. Discuss the method adopted by the Muslims in selecting the third caliph. 3. What would you say are the factors responsible for the emergence of Abu Bakr as the first caliph? Reading list: Rahim, A.(1983), Islamic History. Lagos, Islamic Publications Bureau. Pp Week 6: Qualities of the Ulul-Amr At the end of the lecture, the students should be able to mention some qualities of the ulul-amr A leader must possess certain enviable characters for him to be able to rule effectively. These qualities would be discussed during the lecture. Study Question: 1. Mention and discuss the qualities of a good leader. Qaradawi, Y. (1998), State in Islam. Cairo, El-Falah. Pp Week 7: Duties of a Muslim Leader At the end of the lecture, the students should be able to identify some of the duties of a Muslim leader. The course will introduce the students to the duties expected of a Muslim ruler in an Islamic state. 1. Discuss the duties of a caliph as discussed by Mawardi. Tamar, Sonn (1996), Political Authority in Classical Islamic Thought, American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol, 13, No. 3. Pp

7 Syed Ismail al-qudsy S.H. & Ab Rahman, Asmak (2011), Effective Governance in the Era of Caliphate Umar Ibn Al-Khattab ( ). European Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 18, No. 4, Pp Week 8: Shura: Its Meaning, mode and scope At the end of the lecture, the students should be able to define the term shura and make reference to some Qur anic verses which allude to the concept. Students should also be able to make reference to the use of shura method as demonstrated in Islamic political history. What makes shura unique in the Islamic model is its consensus generating mechanism rather than majority or minority influence. Another unique aspect of the Islamic model is its emphasis on cooperation rather than competition. This is the spirit of shura in Islamic political thought. 1. What do we mean by shura? 2. Discuss the concept of shura with adequate reference to the Qur an. 3. Discuss the uniqueness of Islamic model of governance with particular reference to the institution of shura. Al-Buraey, M.A. (1990), Management and Administration in Islam, Dhahran. Pp Tamar, Sonn (1996), Political Authority in Classical Islamic Thought, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol, 13, No. 3. Pp Turabi Hasan (1987), Principles of Governance, Freedom, and Responsibility in Islam, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.4, No.1, pp Sharfuddin, Ibnomer Mohamed (1987), Toward an Islamic Administrative Theory. The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol, 4, No. 2. Pp Week 9: Detailed Study of Al-Adl wal-ihsan

8 The objective of the lecture is to expose the students to the Islamic injunctions on adl wal-ihsan. The Qur anic meaning of adl and ihsan shall be discussed. The relevance of the concept of adl and ihsan to good governance and administration shall be fully digested. 1. What do we mean by adl and ihsan? 2. Discuss the concept of adl and ihsan in relation to good governance and administration. Salahuddin, Muhammed, (1986), Political Obligation: its Scope and Limits in Islamic Political Doctrine ; The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.3, No. 2, pp Baderin, M.A. (2000), The Evolution of Islamic Law of Nations and the Modern International Order: Universal Peace through Mutuality and Cooperation ; The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 17, No. 2. Pp Abdel Rahman Ahmad, A. (1996), Administrative Responsibility: An Islamic Perspective. The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 13, No. 4. Pp Week 10: Islamic perspective on International Relations The objective of this topic is to introduce students to the relationship of the Muslim world with other nations, and how this was facilitated during the time of the Prophet and the Rightly Guided caliphs. Islam considers the fact that a nation cannot operate in isolation, hence it lays down some regulations guiding the interaction between nations. A practical demonstration of this was equally made by the Prophet during his life. This was equally followed and developed by the Rightly-Guided caliphs after him. This course shall therefore discuss the diplomatic relations, bilateral and multilateral of the Muslims and other nations. 1. What are the principles guiding international relations in Islam? 2. Describe how the Prophet interacted with other nations during his time.

9 Baderin, M.A. (2000), The Evolution of Islamic Law of Nations and the Modern International Order: Universal Peace through Mutuality and Cooperation ; The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 17, No. 2. Pp Week 11: Study of selected Treaties during the Prophetic era The students should be able to describe and critically appraise the contents of some treaties during the prophetic era. Many treaties were signed by the Prophet during his life time. A consideration of some these treaties shall be made, while a critical appraisal of them would be made for students to appreciate ho issues were handled during the prophetic era. 1. Identify some of the treaties signed by the Prophet. 2. Critically examine the content of the treaty of Hudaibiyyah. Reading List Haykal,M.H. (1976), The Life of Muhammad; North American Trust Publications. Pp Week 12: Class Test The students will be assessed on the treated topics for 45 minutes. Week 13: Selected letters and covenants The objective of this topic is to expose students to at least three of the letters and documents written by some of the caliphs. Three basic historical documents of Islamic administration will be discussed. They are: (i) a letter written by Ali ibn Abi Talib communicating instructions to his governor of Egypt; (ii) a letter written by the chief secretary of the last Umayyad Caliph to his fellow secretaries formulating a general ethos of the secretarial profession; and

10 (iii) a letter written by Tahir ibn al-husayn, Caliph al-ma mun s general to his son when he was appointed governor of ar-raqqah. 1. Discuss the content of the letter written by Ali ibn Abi Talib communicating instructions to his governor of Egypt. 2. Explain the wisdom in the content of letter written by the chief secretary of the last Umayyad Caliph to his fellow secretaries. 3. Examine the content of the letter written by Tahir ibn al-husayn, Caliph al- Ma mun s general to his son when he was appointed governor of ar-raqqah. Al-Buraey, M.A. (1990), Management and Administration in Islam; Dhahran. Pp Week 14: Revision/Tutorial exercises Students are expected to seek explanation on any difficult concept or topic treated during the course. 1. Write extensively on the sources of Islamic administration. 2. The Prophet was not only a religious leader but also a political leader. Do you agree? 3. How did Caliph Abu Bakr demonstrate leadership qualities during his tenure as a caliph? 4. Define shura? How was it adopted in Islam? 5. Explain the uniqueness of Islamic model of governance with particular reference to the institution of shura. 6. Making adequate reference to some Islamic documents, discuss the virtues of Islamic governance. 7. Explain the significance of the letter written by the chief secretary of the last Umayyad Caliph to his fellow secretaries. 8. Of what significance is the concept of adl and ihsan to good governance and administration? 9. Discuss the qualities of a good leader. 10. Explain the system of government adopted by caliph Umar during his tenure.

11 11. What lessons could be learnt by Nigerian political leaders in the government of the second caliph in Islam? Suggested further Al-Alwani, T.J. (1990), Political Science in the Legacy of Classical Islamic Literature, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 7, No. 1. Hashmi, Sohail, H. (1993), Toward an Islamic Ethics of International Relations: A Research Agenda, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 10, No. 1. Majid, Ali Khan, (1979), Some Political Aspects of Prophet s Life, Islamic Culture, Hyderabad, vol. LIII, No. 4. Moten A. Rashid (1996), Political Science: An Islamic Perspective; London, Macmillan Press. Muhammad Yasin, M.S. (1988), The Organization of Government under the Holy Prophet; Lahore, Islamic Publications. Waheed-uz-Zamani, (1986), Doctrinal Position of Islam Concerning Inter-State and International Relations, Hamdard Islamicus, Hamdard Foundation, Pakistan, vol.ix, No. 1. Al-Buraey, M.A. (1990), Management and Administration in Islam, Dhahran. Pp Baderin, M.A. (2000), The Evolution of Islamic Law of Nations and the Modern International Order: Universal Peace through Mutuality and Cooperation ; The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol. 17, No. 2. Pp Salisu Shehu, (2007), Social Justice & Leadership Responsibility in Islam. Lagos, Islamic Heritage Foundation. Sharif, M.M. (1966), A History of Muslim Philosophy. vol. 1. Wiesbaden. Hardie J. B (tr) (2000) Sayyid Qutb Social Justice in Islam. Kuala Lumpur, Islamic Book Trust. Tamar, Sonn (1996), Political Authority in Classical Islamic Thought, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol, 13, No. 3. Pp

12 Turabi Hasan (1987), Principles of Governance, Freedom, and Responsibility in Islam, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.4, No.1, pp Sharfuddin, Ibnomer Mohamed (1987), Toward an Islamic Administrative Theory. The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol, 4, No. 2. Pp