Beliefs

An ideal Islamic state awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (af) would elevate the spiritual level of the society and minimize moral laxity and corruption. It would fulfill its obligations for general economic welfare within the limits of its resources and ensure that justice is distributed equitably and has completely eradicated opportunities for exploitation and corruption. The state should make a concerted effort to gather the maximum feasible level of resources and to harness them as efficiently as possible for filling the widest possible range of responsibilities.

All civil, penal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political and other laws and regulations must be based on Islamic principles.

The state must be able to identify the causes of the problems in society rather than simply treating the effects. The structure is made up of political parties, councils, national foundations for social and human sciences, legal institutions, academic institutions, foreign affairs, trade and treaties, intelligence, military and internal police, media national and international branches, environment and natural resource conservation.

Benefits

The state should ensure that its accords rights and responsibility to the common man, minority and protected groups, women, interfaith, intercultural dialogue, promotion and make common the traditions of Islamic culture. There should be systematic promotion of the ideologies of the final government for preparation of the reappearance of Imam of the Time (af).

Fulfillment of basic material needs is, in the Islamic frame of reference, as necessary for human welfare as spiritual uplift. Allah has provided all necessary resources for man's material well-being. Says Allah in the Holy Quran: "He it is Who has created for you everything on earth." And has made subservient to you whatever is in the heavens and the earth and granted you His Bounties, manifest and hidden".

The basic material needs of individuals that must be satisfied are:

1. Training and education to develop the innate abilities of the individual and to enable him to cater for his well-being independently without becoming a burden on others.

2. a suitable job, profession, or trade in keeping with his capability, aptitude, ambition and needs of society so that he and society both benefit from his ability and training.

3. adequate food and clothing,

4. comfortable housing

5. a generally healthy environment combined with appropriate medical facilities and

6. adequate transport facilities to enable a worker to commute to place of work without unreasonable discomfort and to convey his product to appropriate markets at reasonable costs.

Although the fulfillment of these material needs of individuals and society is a vital role by the state, it must be stressed that it is basically the moral responsibility of the individual to cater for his own needs through his own violation and effort.

The individual is not only expected to work for his own livelihood and welfare but is also expected to do his best on every job or mission he undertakes in keeping with the optimum potential of his God-given talents. It is the responsibility of the government to play a positive role in guiding and regulating the economy to ensure that the objectives of the Islamic laws are fulfilled.

Two fundamental principles may be derived from these verses. One that God-given resources are for "you", which is addressed to all people and not to any privileged group or class; and two, that they are meant for general human welfare, and at least, for eradicating poverty and fulfilling the basic material needs of all people.

Since economic resources are a trust from God, it is the moral obligation of the trustee to employ these resources efficiently to realize the purpose of the trust which rests with all vicegerents of God. Thus there are mutual responsibilities here between the individual and the state.

Adapted from the book: "Humanitarian rights in the time of appearance of the Mahdi (Pbuh) or world promised Saviour" by: "islamshia-w.com"