<![CDATA[This research aims to examine the differences in progress between countries that adopt a secular system and those that use Islam as the foundation for politics and law in governance. Secular countries are characterized by the separation between religion and state, where the political and legal systems are conducted rationally, neutrally, and based on positive legal principles without the intervention of religious doctrines. In secular countries, there is a clear separation between religious aspects and governance, allowing the legal and political systems to operate based on logic, free from religious teachings, and adhering to positive law. This is believed to create greater space for freedom of thought, innovation, and transparent governance. This situation is expected to provide broader opportunities for creative freedom, new discoveries, and clear and open government management. On the other hand, in many Muslim-majority countries, state law is often combined with the principles of Islamic sharia. Conversely, in many countries with a majority Muslim population, the applicable laws are often intertwined with the rules of Islamic sharia. Nevertheless, some countries that implement this system face issues such as authoritarian governments, rampant corruption, and low influence of the rule of law. This situation raises a crucial question: does the implementation of Islamic politics hinder a country's progress, or are there other elements that have a greater impact on a nation's level of development? To find answers to this question, this research adopts a qualitative approach supported by quantitative data from various countries, particularly related to progress indicators such as the democracy index, government transparency levels, education, and economic conditions. Through a comparative study approach, this paper seeks to find the relationship between types of political systems (secular compared to Islamic) and the progress of a nation, as well as to explore non-religious factors that play a role in a nation's achievements or failures. It is hoped that the results of this research will provide deeper and more critical insights into the interaction between religion, politics, and national growth on a global scale.]]>
