We know that no law is as effective as Allaah's laws, but is it possible for a law to be as effective as God's laws in one or two particular aspects, like political stability and such? Is it true that the downfall of the Muslims was due to non-compliance with the Shariah, or were there other factors as well?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is possible that people realize a kind of benefit through the application of man-made laws since they set such laws for the purpose of attaining what they believe to be a benefit. It is also possible that these laws might help them achieve a kind of stability or the like of benefits. However, the ultimate evil that results from neglecting the laws of Allah – which is incurring His wrath upon them – cannot be avoided except by applying His laws. Also, applying the Shariah brings about the ultimate benefits pertaining to the worldly life and the Hereafter, as is clear to whoever studies man-made laws and recognizes the superiority of Allah's laws over them in all aspects.

As for the reason behind the Muslim's downfall, it is the result of neglecting to apply the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah on both the individual and community levels. One of the manifestations of such neglect is the failure to apply the Islamic Shariah in many Muslim countries. Verily, genuine dignity and the superiority of Muslims are conditional upon their adherence to the Quran and Sunnah. Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession (to authority) upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them (therein) their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, (for) they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 24:55]

Another manifestation of neglecting the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah is neglecting the means to advancement in the different fields of life; the economic, military, academic, scientific, etc. Allah, The Exalted, commanded the Muslims to avail themselves of all the available lawful means that would benefit them.

We ask Allah, The Exalted, to guide the Muslims back to their religion. 

For more benefit, please refer to fatwas 24846 and 86804.

Allah knows best.