In the Name of God

The relation between Good Governance and Islamic Governance

'I'm not concerned for my nation's poverty, but their inefficiency'
The Great prophet of Islam 

Apparently the readers of this paper agree that Good Governance is neither a new term nor title, but new paradigm introduced in 1990s by some theorist especially of the World Bank and UNODP after a long time failures of human society which led to great changes in the model of Governance.
World Bank defines Good Governance as the exercise of power in managing economic and social resources.
UNDP considers Governance as the exercise of administrative, political and economic power in managing a country's affairs in all levels.
Another definition made by UNESCO implies that Good Governance would be the mechanisms, processes and organs through which citizens, civil groups and institutes seek their civil interest, exercise their civil rights and fulfill their obligations.
Other definition puts that Good Governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented focusing on formal and informal actors.
It could be said that the most important outcome of Good Governance is the emphasis on all round development-economic, political, social and cultural development, especially sustainable development of human resource(versus mere economic development as the latter paradigm).
  Good governance consists of 8 major characteristics as follows:

1- Rule of law:
Rule of law is the bound of different sectors of government and their obligation to implement the laws at all levels.

2- Accountability:
Decision makers not only in the public section but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to citizens and even international community on the public concerns.

3- Transparency:
It means that information is freely available and directly accessible to the people whose interests will be affected by the decisions and their enforcement.

4- Census orientated:
Efforts made to achieve wide census to determine the expediencies of society.

5- Efficiency and effectiveness:
The government is required to meet the society's need effectively.

6- Participation:
Participation of every individual in the process of decision making and above that participating in activities which lead to decision making in governmental level and consequently participating in the results thereof.

7- Equity and inclusiveness:
Every individuals particularly the vulnerable ones in society must enjoy the equal opportunity.
 
8- Responsiveness:
To feel responsible for every request and demands of every group and units in society.

Now the time has come to answer this question:
First what are the characteristics of Islamic Governance? And the second what is the relation of Good Governance as a paradigm and Islamic Governance as a super paradigm?
To answer the above questions let us define the feature of Islamism briefly.
By feature of Islamism we mean a set of principles and values determined by Islam to establish Islamic Governance in human society.
Therefore; 3 major characteristics for Islamic Governance as a super paradigm are definable:

1- God oriented:
Possessing an exalted vision in every activity of government and providing a sufficient ground to meet the need for perfectionism.
'We are the servants of God and to him we shall all return' (The holy Koran; Al-Baqarah, verse No: 156

2- Future oriented:
Possessing a wide view to the future of human society which envisions every movement in the world as a path to reach the afterlife world.
'On that day, God will give them due recompense and they will know that God is the Supreme judge'(Holy Koran; Al-Ankabut, verse No: 64)

3- Universal oriented:
Considering the whole interests of every human in all ages and eras.
'We have sent you as a bearer of glad news and a Warner to the whole mankind. (Holy Koran; Al-Saba Sure, Verse No: 28

To answer the second question i.e. the relation between God Governance and Islamic Governance, it is necessary to asses the outcomes of 3 characteristics of Islamic Governance considering major characteristics of Good Governance.
1- Rule of law:
In Islamic Governance Rule of Law is the most important characteristic.
So much that about the Great Prophet of Islam we read in Koran:
'It is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. Had Mohammad invented some words against us, we would catch hold of him by his right hand and cut off his main artery'. (Holy Koran, Al-Haqqah, Verses 43-46

The divinity of law in Islamic Governance as a super paradigm is the distinctive feature of this characteristic.
'The final judgment is in the hands of God' (Holy Koran, Al-Anam, Verse No: 57
Here fighting corruption should be viewed as one of the significant outcomes of Rule of law which is practiced in Islamic Governance through 3 basic institutes

The institute for
Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil
'al-'amr bilma'ruf wa al-nahy 'an al-munkar'

Holy Koran has placed great importance on this institute.
'Let there be a group among you who will invite others to do good deeds, command them to obey the law and prohibit them from committing sins. These people will have eternal happiness.' (Holy Koran, Al-Imran, 104)
'You are the best nation that ever exists among humanity. You command people to good and prohibit them from evil' (Holy Koran, Al-Imran, 104) 
The great prophet of Islam also put great emphasis on this institute through hundreds of sayings (Hadith)
'You have to command people to good and prohibit them from evil; otherwise God will make the worst ones of society subdue you. Then the good people of society invite others to good and avoid from evil, but no one consent to their calling.' (Mahja-al-bayza; Volume 4, page99)

The Institute for Inspection and investigation
This institute plays a key role in providing timely information to improve structures, activities, individuals and probably Islamic Government plans.
Imam Ali (PBUH) in his instruction to Malik Ashtar says: 'Investigate the activities of your agents and appoint honest and faithful and devoted investigators over them, for your secret inquiry and investigation cause them to be honest and treat people tolerantly and meekly'. (Nahj-Al Balagheh, Letter 53)
The Institute for Judgment
Moreover Imam Ali in his instruction to Malik Ashtar declares the importance of engaging the Islamic ruler in judgment and says: 'employ the best people as judges for judgment among people.'

2- Accountability:
Possessing the element known as 'Beyaat' (allegiance), Islamic Governance considers the element of 'admissibility' together with 'legitimacy'.
The most important institute seeking accountability of Government in Islamic society is the institute for enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.
Being accountable to God is the distinctive feature vis-à-vis Islamic Governance as a paradigm which is to be identified by the characteristic of God orientation in Islamic Governance.
O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord (Holy Koran Al-Maidah, 67).

3- Transparency:
 Islamic Governance must provide the opportunity for everyone to participate in the process of governance in which the transparency is the most important factor so much that the great prophet of Islam was required to notify his mission to people as the most essential part of Islamic Governance.
The distinctive feature of this characteristic is the protection of privacy and honor of individuals and personal information of every people in society. Moreover one of the most important features of God Known as 'hider of faults' (sattar-al Oyub), ensures the protection of honor and privacy of all people in society.
The great prophet of Islam quoted many Hadith (saying) about the protection of Muslims privacy which the following Hadith is the most famous one: 'The honor of a Muslim equals his blood.'

4- Census orientation:
 Islamic Government in the highest level (i.e. the great prophet) must act after consultation.
'……and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs….' (Holy Koran Al-imran, 159)

5- Effectiveness and efficiency:
Islamic Government must supply the right amount of people's needs, because exceeding use is forbidden by Koran and referred to as 'Esraf'
(prodigality)
…and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals. (Holy Koran, Anaam, 141)

6-Participation:
Islamic Government must create Assembly to administer the society’s affairs.
We bestow on those who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation. (Holy Koran, Shoora, 38)
The distinctive feature of this characteristic is considering the members of assemblies’ features which could be referred to as Justice.”
It is clear that the process of participation should be determined considering the limitation of time and place.

7: Equity and inclusiveness:
Every principle of Islamic Government must enjoy the feature of inclusiveness. Equity and inclusiveness and Ghest are the most significant missions to establish Islamic Government.
 We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong) that men may stand forth in justice. (Holy Koran, Hadeed, 25)
The prophet of God PBUH says: 'No nation can rise except for those whose destitute demand their claims from affluent without fear' (Nahj-Al Balaghah, Letterr53)
8: Responsiveness:
Every principle of Islamic Government is totally responsible for creation of a favorable circumstance for growth and perfection of whole society.
The prophet of God PBUH says: 'Everyone is responsible for his nation'
The most important distinctive feature of this characteristic vis-à-vis Islamic Governance is the illegal need which divine law determines.
Now the time has come to describe the mojor characteristics of Good Governance as a super paradigm Vis-à-vis characteristics of Good Governance as a paradigm.
1- Considering Imamat and Leadership, rather than authority and power.
Our Lord! grant unto us offspring who will  give us ( the grace ) to lead the righteous. '(Holy Koran, Furqaan, 74)
Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs. (Holy Koran, Ghaashiya, 22)
2- Considering the creation of favorable environment for submitting to God in society as the most important internal factor to prevent corruption.
(They are) those who if we establish them in the land establish regular prayer. (Holy Koran, Haj, 41)
….and establish Regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds. (Holy Koran, Ankaboot, 45)
This characteristic is one of the most important distinctive features in superficial level which distinguishes Good Governance from Good Governance.
In this respect internal fighting (the great jihad) versus external fighting (the lesser Jihad) against corruption is of a great importance.
 The prophet of God PBUH says: rush to Jihad. And when asked which Jihad, he answered the great jihad which fought within.

3: considering the Beneficence (which means the best possible deed) rather than justice (means the correct deed with a correct practice)
 He who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed. (Holy Koran, Mulk, 2)
Allah commands justice the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin. (Holy Koran, Nahl, 90)

4: considering the creation of virtue and rule of morality in society rather than rule of law.
The prophet of God says:' I was appointed to complete moral virtues.'
The significant point is that in the global society era we have passed the eras of power derived from physical potentials and power derived from law and should think of power derived from knowledge. In this era, the most important competitive advantage of societies is the achievement of  learned societies.

 
 

God Orientation     Islamic Government

Imamat (Islamic Leadership)

Virtue

Beneficence

Submitting to God