Political Interpretation of Islam: A Research Review of the Intellectual Perspectives of Maulana Syed Maududi, Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi, and Dr. Israr Ahmed

Abstract

Islam is a comprehensive religion that provides guidance not only for an individual’s personal life but also for all aspects of collective and political life. In the Qur’an, the responsibility of “establishing” religion (Iqamat al-Din) has been emphasized repeatedly. This is why several thinkers of the Indian subcontinent interpreted Islam not as a set of rituals alone but as a complete political, social, and civilizational system. In the twentieth century three prominent thinkers, Maulana Syed Abul A‘la Maududi, Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi, and Dr. Israr Ahmad -played a significant role in articulating the political interpretation of Islam. They not only clarified its intellectual foundations but also discussed the methods of its implementation. All three emphasized the importance of Iqamat al-Din and political struggle; however, they differed in their approaches and practical strategies. Thus, for all three, Islam is a comprehensive system of life, and its ultimate objective is the establishment of religion. Yet their methods varied: Maududi emphasized organizational and state-oriented strategies, Islahi stressed moral and intellectual reform, while Dr. Israr Ahmad considered revolutionary and jihadi struggle essential.