Democracy and Shura

Question

Peace be upon you.

Is the current election that takes place in our societies part of the Shura (consultation) that is recommended by Islam or is it part of democracy?

Do people in Islam have the right to nominate someone and vote or the matter is totally left for the people of the people of experience of the country; mainly, the wise people and scholars?

What is the guarantee that those reformer, experienced, and knowledgeable people - whom shall we entrust to choose a nominee - will choose the suitable person?

Answer

Praise be to Allah and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and those who followed him.

The current form of elections - whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries — are not the Islamic principle of Shura, but rather it is a form of democracy, which makes the people the source of legislation.

The word democracy is derived from two Greek words: “Demos” which means “the people” and “kratos” which means “power”, and the phrase means: "The power of people", or "The rule of people to themselves with whatever they wish." This means: the satisfaction of the people, no matter that satisfaction was at the expense of values or the fundamentals of religion.

The worst thing in democracy - in addition to violating the Shari`ah — is that it was designed by a way that it is impossible to be applicable to all, but only for those who can buy votes, purchase consciences, and trading with slogans in crises. The democrat application is merely a sale of governing, and that is why Winston Churchill - the British leader - said: "Democracy is the worst system can be introduced as long as it is not applicable to everyone."

The point is, it is a western system appeared as a result of the emperors’ tyranny and the recognition of the church to this tyranny, hence, people adopted that system to dispose the governing system from the emperors and the church and to place it in the hands of the people. Thereby, everyone comes to know that democracy contradicts Islam because, in Islam, the legislation is only in the hands of Allah, not to the people, the ruler, or scholars. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “And He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule.” [Surat Al-Kahf: 26]. He also says: “He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism).” [Surat Yusuf: 40]. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “Do they then seek the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgment than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith.” [Surat Al-Ma’idah: 50].
There are numerous Ayahs to the same effect.

Of the fundamental differences between democracy and Shura is that the Islamic Shura is applied where no text is found or in ascertaining the Islamic ruling -Extending the legal ruling to another similar case. Unlike democracy that gives the people - represented in the House of Representatives or in the parliament - the right of absolute legislation. Accordingly, democracy lawfulizes, prohibits, and changes as it wills, moreover, it violates the fundamentals of the Shari`ah where it holds that the rule of people is above all which is a kind of polytheism. However, it is well known that the absolute legislation (lawfulness and prohibition) is a sole right of Allah (Glory be to Him). Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him to these polytheists): “Tell me, what provision Allâh has sent down to you! And you have made of it lawful and unlawful.” Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): “Has Allâh permitted you (to do so), or do you invent a lie against Allâh?”” [Surat Yunus: 59]. Allah, the Almighty, says: “Or have they partners (with Allâh — false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allâh has not ordained? And had it not been for a decisive Word (gone forth already), the matter would have been judged between them. And verily, for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there is a painful torment.” [Surat Ash-Shura: 21].

As for the Islamic Shura, it is consulting the experienced men to reach the closest opinion to the truth. The people of the Shura - influential people in power - have certain qualities; they are intellectual, scientific, and juristic elites, not as the elites of today, who are hypocrites, fighting Allah publically with sins, liberalists, atheist Marxists, lewd, or something of the like.

The legitimacy of the Shura is proven by the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and by the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “So pass over (their faults), and ask (Allâh’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs.” [Surat Al-`Imran: 159]. Allah, the Almighty, says: “And those who answer the Call of their Lord [i.e. to believe that He is the only One Lord (Allâh), and to worship none but Him Alone], and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.” [Surat Ash-Shura: 38]. It was reported in the Sunnah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Abu Bakr and `Umar: “If you had agreed on something, I would not have disagree with you.” [Reported by Ahmad].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) observed Shura in many events, such as taking the consultation of his companions before the Battle of Badr and taking Jizyah (the tribute) from the captives of Badr.

However, there are some merits in democracy that cannot be denied (as we see in the Western societies), such as preventing the tyranny of rulers and reckoning the wrongdoers, oppressors, and others, no matter what their positions are. However, we do not need democracy because if there is something good about democracy, it will be better in the Islamic legislation system.

As for the right of the nation in the inauguration, the reckoning of its rulers, and observing them according to Islamic guidelines, it is a well known right in the texts of the Shari`ah: in the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and guidance of the first three best centuries of Islam. Anyone refers to Tarikh Al-Islam "the History of Islam" of Imam Adh-Dhahaby, Siyar A`lam An-Nubla’ "the biographies of the noble people", or Mawaqif Hasimah Lil `Ulama’ "Decisive attitudes of scholars" will know the truthfulness of this saying. I had mentioned some of these situations in an article titled Da`wat Al-Fada’iyat bayn Al-Hidayah wa Al-Ghuwayah “The call of the satellite channels between guidance and debauchery" to those who want to read more. And Allah knows best.