Islam Quote by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
““The common understanding among Muslims, no doubt indoctrinated by Western notions, is that a secular state is a state that is not governed by the 'ulama', or whose legal system is not established upon the revealed law. In other words it is not a theocratic state. But this setting in contrast the secular state with the theocratic state is not really an Islamic way of understanding the matter, for since Islam does not involve itself in the dichotomy between the sacred and the profane, how then can it set in contrast the theocratic state with the secular state?””
About This Quote
Source Book: Islam and the Secular State, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, 1990
Islamic thought does not frame governance as a binary between sacred and secular, so contrasting theocratic and secular models is not an authentic Islamic perspective.
In simple terms: Islam sees governance beyond simple sacred‑secular split.
Key Takeaway
Recognize nuanced Islamic political concepts.
Themes
politics
religion
theology
identity
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- interfaith dialogue
- policy analysis
- academic research
- community education
Key Concepts
Islamic jurisprudence
secularism
theocracy
sacred‑profane dichotomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does Islamic thought define political legitimacy?
- Can secular ideas be reconciled with Islamic principles?
A Different Perspective
Islamic tradition may still engage with modern state concepts, complicating pure separation.
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