87. What is anarchy?

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘anarchy is a state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other controlling systems’ and it will result in the collapse of the rule of law and public order in a country if it is allowed to gain power or influence. God is just and does not approve of anarchy or lawlessness. Anarchy is one of the ultimate sins of society because it comes about when people hold the view that their thoughts and ideas are superior to all others and they can and will use any means at their disposal to enforce their will or objectives. The Rule of Law is not respected and there is no longer any means of determining disputes so the promoters of anarchy seek to determine disputes by their own methods which usually involve acute brutality and torture because they seek to enforce their ideas on everyone at any cost. Those who practice lawlessness are the enemies of God. Satan is described as the spirit of lawlessness. Sodom and Gomorrah are described by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 2 verses 7-9 as ‘the cities that had to be reduced to ashes because they lived ungodly lives and God rescued Lot who was oppressed by the people of Sodom and Gomorrah by the sensual conduct of these unprincipled men. Lot as a righteous man felt his soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgement.’ They are further described as those who have corrupt desires, despise authority (anarchistic) are daring, self-willed and do not tremble to revile angelic majesties.’

In 1 Timothy 1 verse 9 it describes people who are lawless (anarchistic) as – those for whom the law was made: ‘the law is not made for the righteous but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their mothers and fathers and for murderers, and immoral men and homosexuals, and kidnappers and liars, and perjurers and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.’(NASB).

The Qur’an seems to be silent on what constitutes anarchy, but it is not silent on what will happen to those who practice anarchy (disobedience of Allâh.) Surah 88 ayat 21-26 states: ‘Therefore do thou give Admonition, for thou art One to admonish, Thou art not one to manage (men’s) affairs. But if any turns away and rejects Allâh, Allâh will punish him with a mighty punishment. For to Us will be their Return; Then it will be for Us to call them to account’. ‘Us’ used here is Allâh speaking.