Nature of the Jama’at’s System

Article 11

The system of Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan shall be consultative, and organisationally shall consist of Central and various regional disciplines.

Explanation: The system being consultative means that the dismissal or appointment of the President and members of the Council shall be through the vote of the members of the Jama’at and all the affairs of the Jama’at shall be conducted in the light of Islamic teachings with mutual consultation.

The Standard for Status in the Jama’at

Article 12

In this Jama’at, the status and position of a person shall not be evaluated on the basis of his/her pedigree, academic qualification or financial condition but shall be according to the commitment that he maintains with Allah and His prophet and His Deen, and the Jama’at shall ascertain such an attachment through the sacrifices he would make in the way of Allah’s Deen: denial of the demands of the self, and physical and material sacrifices.

Explanation: The aim of this Article is to present before the Jama’at members that standard against which they may try and assess the workers of their Jama’at and form an opinion as to what kind of people should be in the fore and what kind of people should be kept in the rear of the Jama’at’s discipline. As far as the rights of membership are concerned, all the Jama’at members are equal; but moral distinction and leadership role and claim to the responsible position shall not be based on one’s family nobility, or fame and reputation, or wealth, or academic qualifications, but on one’s observance of the commandments of Allah and His Prophet, one’s understanding of Deen and its practice, one’s ability to run the affairs of the Jama’at ’s and to offer sacrifices of his time, labour, and mental and material resources for the cause of the Jama’at.

          Those who fulfil the conditions of membership according to Article 6, but make no particular effort towards their own perfection according to Article 8, nor show any special enthusiasm in the affairs of the Jama’at, nor expend their wealth, time, and energies for the cause and mission the Jama’at strives for, may continue as members of the Jama’at but cannot be given leadership role or let to hold positions of responsibility. If such a person is given status in consideration of his other merits, it will be considered violation of the Constitution.

Attributes of Presidents

Article 13

The following attributes shall be kept in view for the election and appointment of the President, (Central or of any subordinate level):

1.                  That he should not be a candidate for Presidency, Nor should there be any such thing as may be showing that he has been seeking or striving for the post.

2.                  That the Jama’at members have confidence in his piety (taqwa), knowledge of the Book and Sunnah, trustworthiness and honesty, divine insight, understanding of Islamic movement, firmness of opinion, thoughtfulness, decision-making ability, perseverance and steadfastness in the way of Allah, and his ability to run the Jama’at discipline.

3.                  That for Provincial and Divisional President, he should have been a member of the Jama’at for at least two years, and for District and Local President, for at least one year, unless the President considers it necessary to waive this condition.

Attributes of members of the Councils

Article 14

The following attributes shall be kept in view for membership of the Council, (Central or subordinate):

1.                  That a person should not himself be a candidate for membership of the Council, nor should there be any such thing as may be showing that he has been seeking or striving for the membership.

2.                  That one should be distinguished among other members with respect to his knowledge and piety, trustworthiness, understanding and insight, perseverance and steadfastness in the way of Allah and in missionary services.