However...

However, if the religion is meant to put Divine Sovereignty into action, as it is, and its ultimate goal is the implementation of religious commandments, such a goal is in need of prerequisites and special conditions apart from conveyance of the message. Historically, the tasks done by the prophets of God have been more than the conveyance and elucidation of revelation. Their incessant struggles and untiring efforts were not only confined to communication of a message.

In fact, the prophets ( ‘a ) strived hard for the Divine Sovereignty in different facets of life. The loftiest of the goals and objectives of the prophets ( ‘a ) was the emancipation of man from the bondage of the ṭāghūt [^1] and drawing him to the servitude and worship of God. For the monotheistic logic to rule over the life of man, first of all, we are in need of revelation and the conveyance of the message which is the primary function and duty of the prophets of Allah (prophethood).

We are also in need of the elucidation, exposition and teaching of the conveyed message so as to avoid difference of interpretations (religious authority). In addition, there is a need for an executive and administrative institution to actually implement the religious commandments (leadership). When the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ) was alive, apart from conveying the revelation, which is a prophetic function, he practically assumed two other responsibilities.

In case of any difference of opinions on a religious matter, his view and opinion served as the final word. He, who recited the Qur’an to the people, considered it also his duty to explain it to them and state the rulings and cases not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an. This task of the Apostle ( ṣ ) was actually complimentary to his role of receiving the revelation. As such, the Sunnah was of special importance and played the role of explainer and elucidator of the Qur’an.

This is the same function of “religious authority” [ marja‘iyyat-e dīnī ] which was also performed by the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ). The station of wilāyah [^2] and leadership was among the designations of the Prophet Muḥammad ( ṣ ). Any decision he took for the ummah [^3] was binding. From the very beginning of his prophetic call, he took steps for the Islamic ummah to establish a government.

His steps from the beginning to the end bore witness of the existence of a systematic program for the establishment of a religious government.