Civil-Military Relations Western and Islamic Perspectives

Abstract

Some Western scholars have asserted that the high frequency of military
coup d‘etats in Muslim countries is rooted in Islam. They claim that
citizens of the Muslim world easily accept military rule because it does
not run counter to the spirit of Islam. Is this true? Does Islam really
allow military intervention into politics or coup d’etat? This article
argues that in some contemporary Muslim countries the coup d’etat or
military takeover has nothing to do with the basic spirit of Islam.
Rather, in those countries, Western colonial rule laid the foundation for
the subsequent takeover of civilian power by the army. Islam does not
allow succession to power through force or coup d‘etat. This article
clarifies the position of Islam on the question of civil-military relations.
A systematic study on this issue has yet to be done, therefore, there is
room for controversy. In order to explain the civil-military relations in
an Islamic polity, this paper first examines Western perspectives on
civil-military relations then highlights Islamic perspectives. Finally, it
offers a brief explanation of military intervention into the politics of
some contemporary Muslim countries.