A Look at the Distinctions between the Rationality Governing an Islamic Government and a Secular Government

Rationality is regarded as one of the most widely used and fundamental concept in discussions of political life. Following the thoughts and views focusing on the challenges raised between religion and politics, rationality has received considerable attention. Thus, it seems important to study the distinctions between the rationality governing an Islamic government and the rationality intended in relation to secular governments, for in an Islamic government any form of rationality cannot be taken as the basis for theory and practice. By rationality it is meant to carefully follow sound reasoning, or rather, reasonable thought. Generally speaking, rationality has been categorized into theoretical and practical rationalities. The doctrines and tenets related to an Islamic government are characterized by theoretical rationality and the acts of the Islamic government, and its agents are characterized by practical rationality. Theoretical rationality is concerned with knowledge, existence, and human being. In contrast, practical rationality is taken into consideration in terms of political aims and behavior. In the above-mentioned two areas, the rationality intended by an Islamic government is distinguished from the rationality governing secular governments. In certain cases, the former rationality takes the data of the rationality intended by secular governments as minimal and proposes that it be completed and in some other cases supposes its achievements radically insignificant and proposes a completely different theory or paradigm instead.