IS ISLAM AGAINST DEMOCRACY?
THE answer is in the negative. Islam itself is a system of democracy, not only in political matters but also in other social matters. There is a clear direction in the Quran in this regard. The Quran has this to say — Affairs of the believers are decided by mutual consultation. (42: 38)
It means that in every social issue Muslims must follow the method of mutual consultation. If they reach a consensus, then it is good; otherwise the matter will be decided by the majority. Democracy is another name for the rule of majority, and the same principle is accepted in Islam.
Islam is a system of democracy;
not only politically, but also socially.
The Prophet of Islam used to adopt this principle in every matter. He used to gather people whenever he was faced with a problem. He asked them to give their opinions, and the matter was settled only after discussion with his companions. It is on record that sometimes the Prophet accepted the opinion of the majority, even though it was against his personal opinion. One such example is found at the time of the battle of Uhud in 2 A.H. During this battle the Prophet felt that they should stay back in Madinah and defend themselves, whereas his companions were of the opinion that they should go on to the outskirts. The prophet agreed to the opinion of the majority.
The Prophet of Islam said —
“As you are, so will be your rulers.”
HADITH REPORTED BY AL-BAIHAQI
It means that the government will be formed by the people’s opinion. That is, the democratic process will determine who will be the ruler of the nation. The government cannot be formed by an individual; it is subject to the opinion of the majority. The well-known dictum of democracy — “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” is also accepted by Islam.
It is very important to know that ‘khurooj’ or political revolt is ‘haraam’ — forbidden in Islam. If a government has been established by a democratic process, it has the right to rule till the end of the specified term. No person or group has the right to launch a movement against it to unseat that government.
Islam believes in persuasion, not coercion. This principle is applicable to all fields of life, both religious and secular. And certainly politics is not an exception. A verse in the Quran says —
“There is no compulsion in religion.” THE QURAN, 2: 256
An Islamic state is not a theocratic state. Islam does not subscribe to the notion that there should be a religious group, which alone has the right to rule. Theocratic rule is like the rule of a religious dynasty; but in Islam there is no room for such a dynastic rule, neither in terms of family nor in terms of clergy.
Islam differentiates between religious creed and political system. According to Islam, religious creed is subject to its eternal teachings and there is no compromise in religious belief; but the political system in Islam in practice is a secular system, not a religious one. If the society is a society of believers, then the government will be formed according to their belief; but if the society is a mixed society or is not ready to accept religion in political affairs, then Islam will adjust to the social will. This was demonstrated by the Prophet of Islam in his life.
Islam differentiates between religious creed and political system.
The Prophet of Islam started his mission in 610 A.D. in the city of Makkah. The Makkans were ready to accept him as their ruler. But he refused because at that time the majority in Makkah comprised of non-believers. He, therefore, did not interfere with the political system of the city and accepted the situational political status quo. Then thirteen years after he migrated to Madina, he was able to establish a city state. The people of Madina appointed him as the head of the state and he accepted it, because the majority of the town had accepted the Prophet’s mission. This is the political spirit of Islam that was demonstrated by the Prophet of Islam himself.