وظائف الحوكمة الأخلاقية في البنية السياسية من منظور القرآن والأحاديث

Throughout the course of human history, repeated and instructive experiences have demonstrated that political autocracy, unchecked concentration of power, the absence of effective oversight mechanisms, and the dominance of self-centeredness in the realm
of governance systematically pave the way for widespread injustices, the violation of citizens' rights, the proliferation of administrative and moral corruption, and ultimately the erosion of political legitimacy. This condition not only disrupts social order but also severely undermines public trust, social capital, and the political cohesion of society. In response to this historical and structural issue, the present research is organized with the aim of elucidating the position, nature, and functions of ethical governance from an Islamic perspective in realizing a just and legitimate political structure. It seeks to show that ethics in Islamic political thought is not merely an individual, advisory, or idealistic matter but rather constitutes an epistemological, normative, and structural foundation for designing, organizing, and enhancing the efficiency of the governance system. The central question of the research is: What roles and functions does ethical governance, from the perspective of the Holy Quran and authentic Islamic hadiths, play in preventing the formation of autocratic, unaccountable, and morally illegitimate power structures? And how can it serve as an alternative, rational, and efficient framework in contrast to the prevalent power-oriented, hierarchical, and utilitarian models of governance?
This research employs a descriptive-analytical method, relying on revelatory sources, particularly the verses of the Holy Quran and authentic hadiths, to extract
the foundational concepts of Islamic political ethics and analyze them in relation to institutional structures and governance processes. The findings of the research indicate that ethical governance in the Islamic framework, unlike traditional and authoritarian models that organize societal administration in a hierarchical and top-down manner while minimizing the role of the people, emphasizes the interactive nature of power, extensive and meaningful citizen participation, and the active presence of intermediary social institutions. It does not consider all affairs to be absolutely under the monopoly of the state and political sovereignty. In this framework, the relationship between rulers and the people is not merely a legal or instrumental one but is regarded as an ethical, responsible, and reciprocal bond based on affection, mutual trust, benevolence, openness to advice, and respect for inherent human dignity. This fosters the possibility of dialogue, wise consultation, and genuine societal influence in the political decision-making process. From a structural perspective, ethical governance is not limited solely to the personal virtues of politicians; rather, it extends beyond that to the design and organization of institutions, mechanisms, and political processes that ensure just, transparent, and accountable behavior in the realm of power, preventing the unchecked concentration of power and the reproduction of tyranny. Ethical governance, as
the primary axis in designing and establishing a just political structure, plays a determinative role in guaranteeing transparency, justice-orientation, active public participation, and countering autocracy. In such a way that transparency in the exercise of power is considered one of its most important pillars, providing citizens with free and informed access to information, thereby creating the grounds for governmental oversight and continuous accountability of officials. This type of governance, by relying on principles such as justice as the foundational rule of politics, the preservation of
human dignity as the ultimate goal of governance, trusteeship in power, the ethical responsibility of rulers, accountability before the people and God, and the rejection of improper, deceptive, and inhumane tools in societal administration, possesses concrete and realizable functions in the political arena. Among these functions, one can point to the structural prevention of autocracy, curbing despotic tendencies, institutionalizing public and internal oversight, strengthening informed and ethics-oriented citizen participation, enhancing transparency in political decision-making and policy formulation, increasing social trust, and ultimately consolidating the political legitimacy of the governance system.The research conclusion suggests that the close, intrinsic, and inseparable link between ethics and politics in Islamic thought transforms ethical governance into a strategic foundation for designing a just, legitimate, and efficient political structure—a structure in which power is not a tool for consolidating domination and group interests but rather a divine trust for realizing justice, safeguarding public rights, and guiding society toward growth, progress, and material and spiritual prosperity. This can provide an inspiring and reliable model for addressing the complex challenges of governance in contemporary societies.