Understanding Democracy and its ruling in the Shari'ah.

[Musa Millington]

There is also this fatwa found in:

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmes...m=9&topic=5880

Sheikh Ahmed bin Yahya An Najmee on Voting and Elections

Today the Sheikh was asked the following question:

Questioner: Oh beloved Sheikh, what is the ruling on Muslims in America taking part in voting and elections, if they feel this will somehow benefit Islam and the Muslims?

Sheikh: The system of elections is an innovation and it is not permissible for the Muslims to participate in them alongside the disbelievers.

Questioner: The reason for their participation, is that if they support and vote for an individual running for a particular position; even if this person is a disbeliever, this person will in turn give the Muslims land for building schools and masjids.

Sheikh: Oh my brother, is it permissible for the Muslims to enter into innovations and join and work with the disbelievers to obtain something that may take place, or may not! This is not correct in my opinion.

Date of call: February 27, 2007


Mustafa George
Ruwais, United Arab Emirates

[Musa Millington]

Additionally this Fatwa of Shaikh Ubaid underlines the circumstances where it may be neccesary to vote:

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmes...m=9&topic=5880

The Advice and Warnings of Ash Shaykh Ubayd
Al Jaabiree
Translation and Notes: Abul Hasan Maalik Al Akhdar

[Q]: “Is it permissible for the Muslims in the lands of disbelief to enter into elections and request from the Muslims to support them in this from the aspect [of being] from the lesser of the two evils or to repel the greater evil?” [A]: I say: Elections are not from the Sunnah (the way of the Prophet) that is known by the Muslims and that which the Salaf traversed upon from the time of the Companions and the Imaams of the Taabi’een, and those who came after them. Rather, it is a newly invented matter in Islaam, so it is a bid’ah (innovation), and if it is a bid’ah (innovation) then it is muharram (unlawful). However, if the Muslims in the West or other than it are compelled to enter into elections then there are a number of circumstances [to be present]. From them: That they will not receive any of their rights that are legislated in their country except by way of a representative to speak on their behalf. So if they are forced to do this and they have no choice, they either elect a man who is Muslim or lose their rights and have no one to hear their concerns. In this situation they elect a righteous man who is wise that will benefit the Muslims and look after their rights. But if the Muslims were patient upon the hardships and loss of their rights in the way of abandoning this innovated matter it is better for them and more desirable. And Allah knows best.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: It should be noted here that the Muslims in the U.S. and U.K receive the same rights as other non-Muslim citizens. They build mosques, schools, and open centers of propagation without hindrance or opposition. Muslims openly call to Islam in publications, radio broadcasts, the internet, and in public forums whether on university campuses or in correctional facilities, in fact Islam is still the fastest growing religion in the West. Muslim women can be seen on the streets of many cities in full hijab and Muslim men in Islamic garb and full beards, all of this with no obstruction from the authorities. All of these rights are afforded them without need of entering elections or voting.

[Musa Millington]

When we look at society and the effects of the democratic system on it, it has done nothing except to lower social integrety and conciousness and has led to party partisanship and hatred among those who support opposite parties.

And this includes hatred among the Muslims. One would find that during election time one Muslim who supports the P.N.M would dislike the Muslim supporting C.O.P who in turn dislikes the Muslims who support the U.N.C. We find Muslims taking money from political parties so that they would vote for them. We also find other Muslims being promised posts within the public sector and that some brothers who were involved in Criminal Activities, may Allah have mercy upon them all, were given contracts in order that the people under them vote.

Allah said: "And verily this is one Ummah (nation) and I am your Lord therefore worship me." We as Muslims are not C.O.P Muslims or U.N.C Muslims or P.N.M Muslims. Rather we supposed to be one people worshipping Allah without any partner and following the Messenger .

If we also look at other countries, including Muslim countries, Muslims have gotten tied up into politics and it resulted in bloodshed. For example in the 90s Algeria had elections and the Islamic Party gained voctory however the French re-instated Boutefrika and bloodshed resulted.

Conversely, in Yemen, the country that is stongest upon the Sunnah according to Shaikh Rabee' and others, the Salafis do not vote at all. This is although they have position and authority. Meaning that if they ran for elections they would win. However, they know that the means take the ruling of the ends not that the ends justify the means as Machiavelli said.


Therefore, my dear Muslim brothers and sisters instead of electing political parties, let us elect to follow the Sunnah. Instead of using our fingers to dip in the electoral ink let us use our fingers in order to turn the pages of the Holy Qur'an and the pages of the books of Hadeeth and the scholars of the past and present. Instead of standing in election rallies for hours upon hours let us sit down in the Masajid and learn the religion at least for half an hour a week. And by Tasfeeyah (learning the pure religion) and Tarbeeyah (acting upon it) we will thread the path of success inshallah.

Musa Millington

[Musa Millington]

Inshallah ta'ala, ya Ikhwaan there has been some controversy over the real position of Shaikh Al Albani on elections. Some say that he made it lawful and some say that he made it unlawful and to many people it is not fully clear. However, listening to Shaikh Saleem Al Hilali, who accompanied him for more time than any one of his other students {20 plus years}, when speaking about this matter he said that Shaikh Al Albani's last view was that elections and voting are totally unlawful. Inshallah ta'ala I will write out what the Shaikh said and post it in some days to come.

Musa Millington

[Musa Millington]

Fatawa of Shaikh Muqbil on Elections and Democracy