Abstract

This paper makes a brief comparison between the political ideas of Imam al-Mawardi- and two English political philosophers of the 17th century. The duties and responsibilities of Muslim politicians are expounded in the works of Imam al-Mawardi- from Islamic religious perspectives and yet, in the 17th century, two English political philosophers revolutionized western political thought through their social contract theories in politics. There are some similarities and dissimilarities between the political ideas of these philosophers. This paper highlights some identical political theories of these three political scientists. This paper finds that neither the political idea of Imam al-Mawardi nor the political idea of John Locke has greatly influenced contemporary Muslim politics and yet, some political ideas of Thomas Hobbes have greatly influenced Muslim politics today in some Muslim countries. This paper finds that Muslim politics went wrong today because Muslim politicians do not meet the standards of justice as demanded by Islam.

Keywords: Muslim politics, Political philosophy, Dictatorship, Democracy, Geopolitics, International politics, Political right