| Answer: Man has been
bestowed with a reasoning faculty which distinguishes him form other
creatures. He has not been sent in this world totally blind, rather innate
guidance has already been fed into him. This is the very reason that Islam
does not go into technicalities and explain details of each and every
system. On the contrary, it delineates some principles which must be adhered
to in all circumstances.
Similar is the case of
ombudsman. Providing justice at each and every level is a basic requirement
of Islam and for this purpose, it does not give a particular system. Each
and every system capable of providing justice in its real sense would be
Islamic and it makes no difference that whatever its name is. It may be a
judge, a court, a panel of judges, or an ombudsman. The term ‘ombudsman’ is
a modern one imported from Scandinavian countries. However, it does not mean
that Islamic history is silent in this regard. Throughout various ages of
Islamic history, the concept of justice and that of Muhtasib (ombudsman)
have remained alive and effective. However, socio-geographical and cultural
changes have led to some diversity which is but natural. So if they fall
within the purview of principles provided by Islam, they but would be
Islamic.
It is difficult to pinpoint
the name of a book or some site. However, history would provide you with
sufficient proof in favour of this institution, right from the Rightly
Guided Caliphate to that of modern era. The problem is not the presence of
this institution or that of nomenclature but its implementation according to
the Islamic principles, which is still awaited as was in the past. |