Masuma
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Asalamu Alikum Wa Rehmatullahi Wa Barakatuh!
Mainly @ sweet106:
Sister, the topic “Is Islam and democracy compatible?” is like really Huge and requires great deal of research. I checked some websites and sometimes have found conflicting statements made by scholars and researchers. As a matter of fact, I feel like I have no knowledge about it. It would take considerable time to develop my own views. I could only come up with this so far:
Annnhainhain!
When we talk about democracy, we usually compare it or visualize it to be a type of “Democracy” implemented in West. If one talks about such democracy, then obviously it is unacceptable to me. (…and I’ll dare not talk on anyone else’s behalf here)
In Western Democracy, laws are made BY the people FOR people; whereas in Islam, laws are made by ALLAH, for the people. So this type of Western democracy is incompatible with Islam. People, because none of us posses a flawless mind, are bound to make mistakes. We might not know what would be better for us in the long run.
Suppose, there is a newly invented machine and one wants to know what will be better for it; so for this purpose, one should consider whom? Who will be the best guide to tell us about the mechanism of the machine? And the answer is “it’s creator or manufacturer”. Same way, for us humans, the best One to guide is Allah BECAUSE He created us and knows everything about us.
We have various examples at hand to prove that western democracy finally flawed. People if they are in majority, can vote for something as blasphemous and evil as “making homosexuality legal.”
So as far as law making is concerned, humans have no right in it unless a law, particular to some newly arisen situation, doesn’t already exist in the Quran and Sunnah. At that time, scholars carry out Ijma (consensus of the scholars). And then Qiyas. So at this lower level, human participation is involved in law making.
But if we take the good points of western democracy, like people voting for the election of a leader, then that I think makes Islam and democracy no more at odds.
At the time of election of our Caliphs, it was always a voting process. People would give “bait” on the hand of a Caliph to show their approval. Yes, the former Caliphs did nominate candidates, but that is what happens today also! But the election of the Caliph was through a proper voting process.
And just to highlight this voting aspect of Islam, we know that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to consult his companions in each and every situation.
Now about the rest of the part, I think Islam has its “own version” of true democracy.
Yeah one more thing, we think that rulers are immune to punishments or accountability but this false idea or rather an accusation has no base in history. If we’ll read about the time when Islam was at its rise, we would notice that even Caliphs would be called to Qazi’s (judge) court for accountability.
We remember the time when Muslims got hold of booty and it was fairly divided among the people. Hazrat Umar was in some meeting where one companion of the Prophet stood up and questioned him that everyone received a piece of cloth out of which only one shirt could hardly be made, but how come Hazrat Umar, who is even taller than the rest, is wearing a complete full-length shirt? So then Hazrat Umar answered and clarified it.
So here we see that even a Caliph could be questioned! No immunity of any type what so ever.
Now sis, this is only half of what I wanted to say. I know it doesn’t at all do justice to the topic but I only know this much. But of course Allah would teach me more about this and then I’ll be able to at least give a some what better reply.
And feel free to ignore it. It’s just a small point of view.
May Allah bless us all! Ameen!
Mainly @ sweet106:
Sister, the topic “Is Islam and democracy compatible?” is like really Huge and requires great deal of research. I checked some websites and sometimes have found conflicting statements made by scholars and researchers. As a matter of fact, I feel like I have no knowledge about it. It would take considerable time to develop my own views. I could only come up with this so far:
Annnhainhain!When we talk about democracy, we usually compare it or visualize it to be a type of “Democracy” implemented in West. If one talks about such democracy, then obviously it is unacceptable to me. (…and I’ll dare not talk on anyone else’s behalf here)
In Western Democracy, laws are made BY the people FOR people; whereas in Islam, laws are made by ALLAH, for the people. So this type of Western democracy is incompatible with Islam. People, because none of us posses a flawless mind, are bound to make mistakes. We might not know what would be better for us in the long run.
Suppose, there is a newly invented machine and one wants to know what will be better for it; so for this purpose, one should consider whom? Who will be the best guide to tell us about the mechanism of the machine? And the answer is “it’s creator or manufacturer”. Same way, for us humans, the best One to guide is Allah BECAUSE He created us and knows everything about us.
We have various examples at hand to prove that western democracy finally flawed. People if they are in majority, can vote for something as blasphemous and evil as “making homosexuality legal.”
So as far as law making is concerned, humans have no right in it unless a law, particular to some newly arisen situation, doesn’t already exist in the Quran and Sunnah. At that time, scholars carry out Ijma (consensus of the scholars). And then Qiyas. So at this lower level, human participation is involved in law making.
But if we take the good points of western democracy, like people voting for the election of a leader, then that I think makes Islam and democracy no more at odds.
At the time of election of our Caliphs, it was always a voting process. People would give “bait” on the hand of a Caliph to show their approval. Yes, the former Caliphs did nominate candidates, but that is what happens today also! But the election of the Caliph was through a proper voting process.
And just to highlight this voting aspect of Islam, we know that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to consult his companions in each and every situation.
Now about the rest of the part, I think Islam has its “own version” of true democracy.
Yeah one more thing, we think that rulers are immune to punishments or accountability but this false idea or rather an accusation has no base in history. If we’ll read about the time when Islam was at its rise, we would notice that even Caliphs would be called to Qazi’s (judge) court for accountability.
We remember the time when Muslims got hold of booty and it was fairly divided among the people. Hazrat Umar was in some meeting where one companion of the Prophet stood up and questioned him that everyone received a piece of cloth out of which only one shirt could hardly be made, but how come Hazrat Umar, who is even taller than the rest, is wearing a complete full-length shirt? So then Hazrat Umar answered and clarified it.
So here we see that even a Caliph could be questioned! No immunity of any type what so ever.
Now sis, this is only half of what I wanted to say. I know it doesn’t at all do justice to the topic but I only know this much. But of course Allah would teach me more about this and then I’ll be able to at least give a some what better reply.
And feel free to ignore it. It’s just a small point of view.
May Allah bless us all! Ameen!
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