PA religious official discusses separation between religion and state

Official PA TV program Horizons

Supreme Shari’ah Judge, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “A democracy that contradicts Islam – and not just democracy, any governmental system that contradicts Islam – I will not accept it, and a Muslim will not accept it…

There was no problem with the outlook of Prophet [Muhammad]. Of course, he was a prophet who would receive revelation, but regarding state management – he was a man, a ruler, and a human being.”

Official PA TV host: “You said human and messenger, but that is regarding the Quran, correct?”

Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Exactly, a human being. On everything regarding state management – he was a human being. Therefore, to a certain extent this management matched the will of the Prophet’s companions, and to a certain extent contradicted the will of the Prophet’s companions, to the point that the Prophet’s companions objected. An objection to the Prophet, on him being a prophet – that is heresy. An objection to God’s Messenger, on everything concerning that which is derived from prophesy – that is heresy. Whereas an objection to the Prophet, on everything concerning that which is not derived from prophesy, but rather is derived from government, rule, and leadership – that is not heresy, but rather an expression of an opinion against an opinion, drawing conclusions against conclusions.”