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(Continued)
The meaning of governance (tadbir) is the ordering and administering of the universe and man at every level and in every respect, both in this life and in the Hereafter, from the point of view of both the engendering of existence (takwini) and the establishment of religion (tashri'i). Therefore, the governance of human affairs, in all respects, is the exclusive preserve of the one-and-only God.
Now we shall consider the second aspect of the oneness of lordship, that is, governance as regards religion. Just as God alone governs over the domain of engendered existence, so all matters concerning religion are likewise His prerogative alone whether in respect of the imposition of rules and commands, the framing of religious laws, defining obedience and submission to such laws, establishing the principles of intercession and the forgiving of sins. Nobody has the right to change any religious prescriptions without His authority.
Thus, oneness in rulership, oneness in the establishment of religious law, oneness in obedience all of these are
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counted as so many dimensions of oneness of governance. Therefore, if the Prophet is given the title of 'ruler' over the Muslims, this is because he was chosen to be so by God, and such rulership is in accordance with divine authority. It is for this reason that obedience to him, like obedience to God, is incumbent upon all Muslims; indeed, obedience to him is at one with obedience to God. As the Qur'an says:
Whoso obeyeth the Messenger hath obeyed God.
(Sura al-Nisa, IV: 80)
And also: We sent no Messenger but that he should be obeyed by God's leave (Sura al Nisa, IV: 64)
However, without the permission and command of God, the Prophet would neither be a ruler nor one to whom obedience is due; and, in truth, his rulership and his right to be obeyed are but loci for the manifestation of these properties which, in reality, pertain to God alone. Since the specification of religious obligations forms part of the preserve of lordship, nobody has the right to judge that which God has commanded:
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![[image]](../../../images/bismillah.gif)
