Topic: The Quran and State

[jossburnett]

Does the Quran define that a state or nation be run according to Sharia law or is it more precise to say that an individual should follow Sahria?

The reason for my question is that (I believe) many of our worlds troubles exist from the influence of religion over government/state (and I don't only mean Islam when I say religion!).

History has shown us that we can live together:
Al-Andalus in spain was ruled by Muslims from 711 to 1492 and  I have read that there was a "Golden Age" where Dhimmi (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhimmi) where (particularly in the south) Jews, Christians and others lived in peace.

My personal belief (and I am not a muslim) is that when religion and state are "one" then only trouble ensues. In ancient times, the Christians were very adept at gaining access and subsequent control of kings, governments and states (In the UK we are still officially a "Christian state"!). Once this influence is in place then terrible things happen (for example the original crusades - to me a simple economic and strategic looting of the Arab world) and religion was the "reasoning" behind this pillage. They got a kick in the pants by Saladin as he was known in the west (Sal?hu d-din Yussuf in arabic? - was I the ony person in the cinema rooting for Saladin in the recent film Kingdom of Heaven?).

My fear is that now there is a new Crusade and that, in the long run no one will benefit.

Wow - sorry, I wondered off my own topic there. I restate my original question:
Does the Quran define that a state or nation be run according to Sharia law or is it more precise to say that an individual should follow Sahria?
 
If you got this far then thanks for reading!

I found this lovely quite (I don't know the author so I'm not claiming it is Quranic!)

We must make all people one with us. The Prophet Muhammad explained this to us, but some of us who came to the world forgot the message Allah sent. We must learn to wash away our separations and become one again. That is true Islam.

[samsparky]

Islam has rules which must be followed such as doing obligations and avoiding sins. These must be followed by everyone whether in the presence of a caliph or not.

In the presence of a caliph there are additional things which take place. The government becomes Islamic and punishments and jail sentences are given to offenders as per the rules revealed to the Messenger of God.

THIS is how there can be harmony because all who correctly believe in God will acknowledge the way in which God Ordered us to live.

This is not man made law which people try to enforce on others. Man made law is the one which causes problems because each person might have a different opinion.

[jossburnett]

Many Thanks for your reply,

I for one hope that we will all eventually find a way to live in peace together.

Also - my friend has told me the image I attached to my previous message may be one that is used by a forbidden group. If that is the case then I am truly sorry (if so, please remove it): I had thought that it meant "Unity" and I intended it only to imply that we are all one and should live in peace.

Kindest Regards

Joss Burnett

[jossburnett]

My thanks to SamSparky for his reply.

However, my question was:

Does the Quran define that a state or nation be run according to Sharia law or is it more precise to say that an individual should follow Sahria?

Can anyone point me to a section of the Quran that can answer my question?

[Hadi]

Hopefully we will get it for you....

[jossburnett]

Many thanks for your help.