Problems of power and statehood in Islamic political and legal thought

Introduction. The article presents a description of the evolution of concepts of power and statehood in Islamic political and legal thought from the classical period to the present day, examining the interrelation between religious doctrines and the political practice of Muslim society.

Goal. To identify problems and prospects for the development of Islamic political and legal doctrine in the context of transforming notions of the legitimacy of power and forms of government.

Materials and methods. The research is based on the analysis of primary sources of classical Muslim jurisprudence, philosophical treatises, and works of contemporary Islamic thinkers, employing historical-comparative and comparative-legal methods. The normative-legal approach of the fuqaha (al-Mawardi, Ibn Taymiyyah, al- Ghazali) is compared with the ethical-philosophical views of Muslim philosophers (al-Farabi).

Results and discussion. The study revealed significant differences between the Sunni contractual model of legitimizing power and the Shia doctrine of the imamate. The transformation of Islamic political thought in the 20th–21st centuries was traced: from the secular ideas of Ali Abdel Raziq to the concepts of political Islam by al-Maududi and Sayyid Qutb, as well as contemporary debates on Islamic democracy.

Conclusion. Based on the results of the conducted research, it can be concluded that contemporary Islamic political and legal doctrine demonstrates flexibility and pluralism, allowing various forms of government provided they implement the fundamental objectives of Sharia.

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