The Institutions of State in the Khilafah by Hizb ut-Tahrir

Information is one of the most important matters for the da'wah and State. It is not one of the interests (masalih) of the people that follow the department of people's affairs. It is rather directly connected with the Khalifah as an independent organisation, just like any one of the State's organisations. .

The presence of a distinguished information policy that presents Islam strongly and effectively would provoke the minds of the people to turn toward Islam, and to study and think of it. It also facilitates the annexation of Muslim lands to the Khilafah State. Furthermore, there are many issues of information which are closely related to the State, and they cannot be published without the Khalifah's instruction. This is manifested in the military matters and related issues, such as the movement of the armies, and the news of victory and defeat and the military industries. This type of news must be linked directly to the Imam so as to decide which news has to be concealed and which news must be announced and advertised. .

The evidence to this is the Book and the Sunnah. As regarding the Book, His (S.W.T) saying: .

"And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come to them, they announce it, whereas if they had referred it to the Messenger and those in authority, then those among them who are able to think out of the matter would have known it." [TMQ 4:83] .

The subject of the verse is the news. .

As regarding the Sunnah it is the hadith of Ibn Abbas about the conquest of Makkah as is reported by Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak, described as sahih based on the condition of Muslim, and Al-Dhahabi confirmed that. The hadith mentions: "The news were obscured to Quraish; so the news of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would not reach them, and nor they know what he is planning regarding them." . There is also the mursal (hadith not directly connected to the Messenger (PBUH), rather the name of a sahabi is missing) of Abu Salamah as reported by Ibn Abu Shaybah, which mentions: .

"Then the Prophet (PBUH) said to Ayesha: Prepare (things to) me and do not tell anybody of that. Then he ordered that roads be shut off, so people of Makkah were obstructed, and thus no news would reach them." .

There is also the hadith of Ka'b which is agreed upon regarding the ghazwah of 'usrah (Tabuk), which says: .

"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never wanted a ghazwah without alluding to something else except in that ghazwah, which he made during a very hot weather, a distant place, a desert and a huge enemy. So, he explained to the Muslims their matter to be ready for their raid, and he thus informed them of the destination he wants." .

There is also the hadith of Anas as reported by Al-Bukhari: .

"The Prophet (PBUH) announced the death of Zayd, Ja'far and Ibn Ruwahah before the news of their death reached him. He said: Zayd took the flag but he was killed, then Ja'far took it and he was killed, then Ibn Ruwahah took it and he was killed; he said that while he was crying. Lastly one of the swords of Allah took it till Allah granted them victory." [Bukhari, Sahih, #3757]. .

Some of the applications of this rule at the time of the Rashidun is that which is narrated by Ibn Al-Mubarak in the subject of jihad, Al-Hakim reported in Al- Mustadrak and he described it as sahih based on the condition of Muslim, which Al-Dhahabi agreed to, from Zayd ibn Aslam from his father from ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab "that he was informed that Abu Ubaydah was surrounded and the enemy rallied against him. So, ‘Umar wrote to him, ‘Peace is upon you. After that, there is not any difficulty that befalls a believer except Allah made for him a way out of it; and never a hardship would defeat two eases.’” .

O you who believe! Endure, out do all others endurance, be ready and observe your duty to Allah, in order that you may succeed.' (3:200).

He said: Abu ‘Ubaydah wrote to him, “Peace is upon you, after that Allah says in His Book: .

'Know that the life of this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children.” (57: 20). .

He said, then ‘Umar went out holding his book, sat on the mimbar and read it to the people of Al-Madinah and said, “O people of Al-Madinah! Abu Ubaydah alludes to you that you should show interest in jihad." .

The issues that are connected with the military news are the news of the negotiations, peace treaties and debates that take place between the Khalifah or his deputy and the representatives of the kufr states. As an example to the negotiations is that which took place between him ( PBUH) and the representatives of Quraish in Al-Hudaybiyah till agreement was reached over the clauses of the peace. The example of his direct debates is his (PBUH) debate with the delegate of Jajran and calling them to curse each other in case we did not say the truth. This is also alongside the debate of Thabit ibn Qays and Hassan to the delegate of Tamim based on the order of the Prophet (PBUH). .

All of this was open without any secret clause in it. Though other types of news have no direct connection with the State, and they do not need the direct opinion of the Khalifah regarding them, such as the daily news, the political, cultural and scientific programs and the international events, they however interfere with some details of the viewpoint in life, and with the view of the State towards international relations. Therefore, the supervision of the State over these types of news differs from it over the first type of news. .

Thereupon, the organisation of information must contain two main departments: .

The first: Its task is related to news that has connection with the State, such as the military matters, the military industry and international relations, etc. The task of this department is the direct supervision of such news. So, such news is not broadcasted in the state media or the special sources of media except after their presentation to the information organisation. .

The second: is related to other news; and its supervision of them is not direct. The State's source of media and the special sources of media do not need any permission for presenting such news. .