An Islamic state (Arabic: الدولة الإسلامية‎ ad-dawlah al-islamīyah) is a type of government, in which the primary basis for government is the enforcement of shari'a, dispensation of justice, maintenance of law and order. From the early years of Islam, numerous governments have been founded as "Islamic."However, the term "Islamic state" has taken on a more specific modern connotation since the 20th century.