What is "hakimi"?

Hakimi, also known as Hakimiyyah, is a concept deeply rooted in Islamic political thought and governance. It refers to the principle of divine sovereignty and the belief that only Allah has the right to legislate laws and command obedience. The term "hakimi" comes from the Arabic word "hakim," which means ruler or judge. In Islamic political theory, the hakimi is the one who rules according to the laws of Allah and implements justice and equity in society.

The concept of hakimi has its origins in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran states that "judgment belongs to Allah alone" (Quran 6:57) and that only Allah has the right to legislate laws and command obedience. The Prophet Muhammad also emphasized the importance of ruling according to the laws of Allah and implementing justice and fairness in society.

In Islamic political thought, the hakimi is seen as the representative of Allah on earth and is responsible for implementing the divine laws in society. The hakimi is expected to rule with justice, equity, and compassion, and to ensure the well-being of the people under his rule. The hakimi is also expected to uphold the principles of shura (consultation) and to govern with the consent of the governed.

One of the key principles of hakimi is the idea of accountability. The hakimi is accountable to Allah for his actions and decisions, and he will be judged according to how well he has implemented the divine laws in society. This principle of accountability is meant to ensure that the hakimi rules with justice and fairness and that he does not abuse his power or oppress the people under his rule.

In contemporary Islamic political thought, the concept of hakimi has been invoked by various Islamist movements and political parties. These groups argue that the current political systems in many Muslim-majority countries are not based on the principles of hakimi and that they do not rule according to the laws of Allah. These groups advocate for the establishment of Islamic states that would be ruled according to the principles of hakimi and would implement the divine laws in society.

One example of a contemporary Islamist group that invokes the concept of hakimi is the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state that would be ruled according to the principles of hakimi and would implement the divine laws in society. The group has been involved in political activism and has sought to influence the political process in Egypt in order to promote its vision of an Islamic state based on the principles of hakimi.

Another example of a contemporary Islamist group that advocates for the principles of hakimi is Hizb ut-Tahrir. Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international Islamic political organization that seeks to establish a global Islamic state ruled according to the principles of hakimi. The group advocates for the implementation of the divine laws in all aspects of society and for the establishment of a caliphate that would govern according to the principles of hakimi.

While the concept of hakimi has been invoked by various Islamist groups and movements, it has also been criticized by some scholars and political commentators. Critics argue that the concept of hakimi is open to interpretation and that different groups may have different interpretations of what it means to rule according to the laws of Allah. Critics also argue that the concept of hakimi can be used to justify authoritarianism and to suppress dissent and political opposition.

In conclusion, hakimi is a concept deeply rooted in Islamic political thought and governance. It refers to the principle of divine sovereignty and the belief that only Allah has the right to legislate laws and command obedience. The hakimi is the one who rules according to the laws of Allah and implements justice and equity in society. While the concept of hakimi has been invoked by various Islamist groups and movements, it has also been criticized by some scholars and political commentators. The debate over the concept of hakimi continues to be a central issue in Islamic political thought and governance.