Democracy in Islam

1. DDeemmooccrraaccyy
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IIssllaamm
By - Hassan Taha
The AWARE Center is a non-profit NGO that offers facilities and
services related to Kuwaiti, Gulf, Arab and Islamic culture.

2. According to Encyclopedia
Britannica, Democracy literally
means: rule by the people. The
term is derived from the Greek root
word ‘demokcratia’, which was
coined from ‘demos’ (People) and
‘Kratos’ (Rule).
Democracy was introduced in
Greece in the 5th Century BC. The
Greeks voted on all issues of
government. However, women and
slaves were not allowed to vote.
Definition:
According to
Abraham Lincoln,
democracy is the
government of the
people, by the
people and for the
people.

3. Compatibility:
Is Islam
compatible
with
Democracy?
to answer this
question, let us
review the following
pillars of Democracy:

4. The Pillars:
The Pillars of
Democracy
according to
Western
references:
A. Sovereignty of the people
B. Government based upon consent of
the governed
C. Majority rule
D. Minority rights
E. Guarantee of basic human rights.
F. Free and fair elections.
G. Equality before the law.
H. Due process of law
I. Constitutional limits on government
J. Social, economic, and political
pluralism
K. Values of tolerance, pragmatism,
cooperation, and compromise

5. In Islam:
In Islam there is democracy
but different from what the
West propounds. Islam cares
about humans whether rich or
poor, efficient or inefficient.
It also cares about them
before they are born. In
Islam, one can't gain
legitimacy as a ruler unless
people accept him - Islam does
not accept any system which
involves any kind of dictatorship.
Democracy
in Islam

6. Principals:
Principals of
the Western-type
Democracy
1. Sovereignty of countries
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2. Secularism
3. Freedom of religion/speech
4. Partnership/participation
5. Transparency
6. Justice
7. Development
8. National identity
9. Equality
10. Freedom to choose leaders
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7. Sovereignty:
components of
Democracy?
Sovereignty of the
governed people
is limited in Islam
and can be
epitomized in the
following
components of
Democracy:

8. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
A. Consultation (Shura)
(Prophet Muhammad with his companions
regarding encountering enemies out of Medina).
God says: "It is part of the Mercy of God that you
deal gently with them. Were you to be severe or
harsh-hearted, they would have broken away
from you. So pass over (their faults), ask for
God's forgiveness, and consult them in affairs
(of moment). Then when you have taken a
decision, put your trust in God. For God loves
those who put their trust in Him." (3:159)

9. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
B. Advice
Advice
(Camping near a well at Bader)

10. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
C. Obedience to the leader
God says: "O ye who believe! Obey
God and the Messenger and those who
have been entrusted with authority. If
you are at variance over any matter,
refer it to God and the Messenger if
you truly believe in God and the Last
Day." (4:59)

11. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
D. To Enjoy
To enjoy peace, security, and
necessities of life. (Umar with an
old Jew)

12. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
E. Enjoining good and forbidding evil
"The believers, men and women, are
protectors, one of another: they
enjoin good and forbid evil…" (9:71)
(People in a ship)

13. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty of the governed people is limited in Islam and can be epitomized in the following
components of Democracy:
F. Pledge of allegiance (the pledge of
Aqabah)
G. Electing their leaders (not
Prophets)

14. Rights:
Human and
Minority Rights:
1. The basic world document –
The UN Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
- states that all humans
should be treated equally,
with dignity and respect
(when was it drafted? And is
it implemented 100%)

15. Rights:
Human and
Minority Rights:
2. Minority rights refers to
everyone being equal
before the law
regardless of race,
ethnic origin, color,
religion, sex, age,
mental and physical
ability.

16. Rights:
Human and
Minority Rights:
3. If the majority has a
right e.g. freedom of
religion, then that same
right must be extended
to whatever minority
exists in the society.
(constitutions being
changed to suit the aims
of minorities /
majorities neglecting the
rights of others)

17. Main differences between the
Western-type Democracy and the
Islamic Model:
Differences:

18. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
1. In the former, rulers/leaders are chosen
by people through votes regardless of
their status. whereas, in Islam rulers
are chosen by honest, religious, sane,
trustworthy, and the wise experienced
elite. (Masses don't have enough
information = Promising to bring
electricity, which was donated by NGOs)
In Islam, the law protects fools but…

19. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
2. If the ruler is found to have committed
immoral acts after his election, then he should
be deposed. (Abu Baker's inaugural speech) =
"I have been appointed as your ruler, yet I am
not the best of you. If you find me following
the right way, support me. If not, correct me.
Obey me as long as I obey God; if I disobey
Him, my obedience is not binding upon you."
(Ash'har Masha'heer Al-Islam by Al-Suyouti,
vol. 1)

20. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
3. In present-day Democracy, a candidate cannot
reach the parliament or attain leadership if he
is poor. In Islam, to be voted as a ruler or
governor doesn't require of you to be wealthy.
Leaders like Abu Baker, Omar, etc. despite
ruling Muslims for a long time, died while they
were poor. The only qualifications that any
candidate should have are: Piety, Knowledge,
integrity, modesty, justice, wisdom,
trustworthiness, bravery, etc.
Continue……

21. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
…..We read in the Qur'an: …their Prophet
(Samuel) said to them: "God has appointed
Talut (Saul) as king over you." They said: "How
can he exercise authority over us when we are
better fitted than him to exercise authority,
and he is not even gifted with wealth in
abundance?" He said: "God has chosen him
above you, and has gifted him abundantly with
knowledge and bodily prowess: God grants
His authority to whom he pleases. God is all-embracing,
and all-Knower." (2:247)

22. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
4. Laws are the externalization of
conscience (morality and legality
are one and the same in Islam) –
Homosexuality + License for
prostitutes

23. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
5. Constitutions can be changed according
to the whims and desires of rulers in
present-day democracy. Whereas in
Islam, the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah are
the main sources of legislation. No one
can dare change them.

24. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
6. In Islam, God (Allah) is the sole legislator in
Whom the sole authority rests, while man, as a
collective body, interprets these laws as God's
representative on earth. "O you who believe!
Obey God and the Messenger and those from
among you who have been entrusted with
authority. If you are at variance over any
matter, refer it unto God and the Messenger if
you truly believe in God and the Last Day."
(4:59) Laws in Islam are not made to protect
the rights of one people while ignoring those of others.

25. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
7. Leadership is not sought after among
true Muslims - None among the rightly-guided
caliphs asked to be voted for.
According to the Prophetic tradition,
any person who presents himself as a
candidate for any office abuses his
trustworthiness and should be ignored
(Story of the man who wanted to be
elected as a governor) * Today, they follow
the Western example and run for office.

26. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
8. In present-day democracy, people are
free to behave as they like, whereas in
Islam, we are commanded to enjoin
good and forbid bad. "Ye are the best of
the peoples, evolved for mankind,
enjoining what is right, forbidding
what is wrong, and believing in God…"
(3:110)
+ Story of Muhallab and a scholar

27. Differences:
Main differences between the Western-type Democracy and the Islamic Model:
9. Freedom and other principles of
Democracy are God-given in Islam.

28. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:

29. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:
1. A state in Islam is founded on certain principles
as laid down in the Qur'an and Sunnah viz.
A. All authority in the universe lies in the hands
of God.
B. The Law has already been legislated in the
Qur'an and Sunnah regarding human relations
like marriage, inheritance, social issues like
Zakat, business contracts and judicial matters
like testimonies, punishments for crimes, etc.
It also urges Muslims to pursue research and
development in the fields of science,
astronomy, psychology, etc.
Continue……

30. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:
C. Muslims are obliged to enforce the already
existing laws and regulations in all the spheres
of life.. However, the ruler is authorized in
certain exceptional circumstances, to alter or
temporarily suspend some legislations. To do
so, he has to appoint a body of advisers
(shura) and then consult its members to
determine the proper subordinate legislation.
** Umar ordered Muslims in military service to go
back home after six months...
** Umar suspended the punishment of theft
during the year of famine..

31. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:
2. In the Islamic State Muslims are
encouraged to constantly internalize
spiritual values while performing
their temporal obligations. (Story of
Abu Dahdah)

32. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:
3. A Muslim state is obligated to guarantee
religious freedom to every citizen and
endeavor to promote life standards of all
its citizens.
We read in the Qur’an: “Had God not
checked one set of People (Pagans) by
means of another (Muslims), monasteries,
churches, synagogues and mosques in
which the name of God is commemorated
in abundant measure, would have surely
been pulled down (22:40)

33. Islamic State:
Principles of an Islamic State:
Note: There is always a gap between the ideal and
the real practice, in every country.
Islamic Model Western Model
Theocracy Democracy
Democracy
Theocracy

34. Food for thought:
1. Where in the world do you think
democracy works 100%?
2. If your government does not provide you
with the necessities of life, what would
you think of it?
3. Should all countries in the world adopt a
uniform system of democracy?
4. Why do people obey laws and regulations?
5. How would you like to see democracy
implemented in your country?

35. TThhaannkk yyoouu ssoo mmuucchh
ffoorr aatttteennddiinngg
By - Hassan Taha
The AWARE Center is a non-profit NGO that offers facilities and
services related to Kuwaiti, Gulf, Arab and Islamic culture.
www.aware.com.kw