Democracy in Islam

Every individual in an Islamic society enjoys the rights and powers as the caliph of Allah, and in this respect all individuals are equal. “Caliphate” as a term has frequently been used to describe an Islamic political system based on monarchy, while the authentic notion truly refers to the authority of every single Muslim in his human capacity and his right to enjoy dignity and respect.

The notion of khilafah expresses how Islam empowers human beings and also how the government does not enjoy any special rights apart from those delegated to it by the political community.

The Hobbesian conception of the necessity of the State and its priority and seeing it as a condition for civility does not conform to the Islamic perspective. Yes, the formation of a State is a historical process, but the community comes first. No authority may deprive any citizen of his rights and powers.

The agency for running the affairs of the state will be formed by agreement with these individuals, and the authority of the state will only be an extension of the powers of the individuals delegated to it. Their opinion should be decisive in the formation of the government, which will be run with their advice and in accordance with their wishes.

Whoever gains their confidence will undertake the duties and obligations of the caliphate on their behalf (in the form of political representation); and when he/she loses this confidence he/she will have to step down from his/her specific position and be accountable for his/her actions and decisions. In this respect the political system of Islam is a form of democracy, even if it is not a secular one as democracies are usually defined in contemporary political literature.

What distinguishes Islamic democracy from Western democracy, therefore, is that the latter is based on the concept of popular sovereignty, while the former rests on the principle of popular khilafah, mixing religious devotion with a notion of democracy and citizenship.

In Western democracy, the people are sovereign; in Islam sovereignty is vested in Allah and the people are His caliphs or representatives. The laws given by Allah through His Prophet ( Shari ‘ah) are to be regarded as constitutional principles that should not be violated.



www.islamonline.net

As sallamu alaikum

I am sorry but this is kinda crazy talk. Shk Muqbil raheemahulah used to mock the people who say that there is democracy in Islam.

If you truly think about it, I mean spend sometime looking at the principles of democracy and those of Islam you will come to the conclusion they are not compatible.  

Think about it and if you cant come up with something I will explain some simple principles to consider.

I believe Islam is democracy itself but not a one copied from how the west seems democracy...Abu you are right about Islam and the democracy advocated for today is not compatible, but you have to realize Islam is its own world with its own rules, people and values...so if we (including the rulers) truly base our actions on islam...i can safely say it will be a great responsible democracy.

Jim I do not understand what you mean. Here is why.

Democracy in it foundation is laws assembled by the people or people elected to represent the people. In this sense the majority rules whether it is moral or just or not so.

As well in this system one individual represents one vote whether he is a learned person or an ignorant one. It places the faasiq at the same level as the 'ulemah.

So how does the situation of the common and people and the rulers basing their actions on Islam lead to a 'great responsible democracy'?

This word and idea that is named democracy is a square hole to the round peg of Islaam and the Muslims. I think I know what you are trying to say but using the word democracy throws it way off track in my opinion bro.

Understood american....I may have used the wrong word but my intentions are clean...thanks for the information.

hmmm