DEMOCRACY & ISLAM

The word ‘democracy’ a Greek word in origin’ is composed of Demo or the people
and ‘Cracy’� rule, or rule of people, it started in city states of Greece. A lame
tradition of Democracy was practiced in Rome where it got mixed up with
Emperorship and had a zigzag course. Otherwise in Europe, worst authoritarian rule
remained entrenched till the French Revolution or the 18th century where the theory
of Divine Rights of Kings was propounded. It developed after the French Revolution
or after the 18th century primarily in England and also in France but naturally under
the hallow of different cultural backgrounds ‘Democracy’� as is now practiced
evolved in England and the British Parliament is called the mother of all parliaments.

Whether democracy is compatible with Islam or not has been under discussion for
more than a century. However, since the final decades of 20th century and especially
in post 9/11 world, this very question has gained more prominence.

Many people hold that democracy has no place in the political system of Islam. But,
Islam is not merely a religion; it is a complete code of life. All aspects of Muslim
society, individual or collective, are covered by the social structure of Islam. Hence, a
political system also comes very much under the Umbrella of the Islami. The great
Muslim thinker and poet Allama Iqbal has rightly said:

‘Statecraft divorced from Faith to reign of terror leads, Though it be a monarch’s rule
or Commoners’ Show.’

The important manifestation of a political system is vindicated through the

establishment of a state and the way of its governance. The Holy Prophet (PBUH)
established a state at Medina, of a unique type, based on consultation, justice, equality
and accountability. After his passing, his righteous successors maintained the same
system of governance.

The Holy Quran has mentioned the word ‘shura’ for governance in Surah Ash-Shura
(The Consultation); verse 38: ‘They govern with mutual consultation.’

The essence of a true democracy too is consultation. The governing system of the
Righteous Caliphs was the manifestation of this democracy. The basic pillars of a true
democracy, i.e. consultation, justice, equality and accountability, are found in the
governance of the Four Righteous Caliphs.

Presently, the UK and the US are regarded as the pioneers of Western democracy. Are
their rulers questioned so openly and bluntly by the common men in public places as
the aforesaid caliphs used to be? Nowadays, in a democratic system, the rulers are
elected through votes and the candidates offer themselves for their election, utilising
all kinds of sources for winning elections while none of the rightful caliphs offered
himself for election. Each was selected by a majority of the people, after the proposal
of their names by other people.

Furthermore, their deeds verify the highest democratic values in governance which
are extinct today in the governance of the so-called democratic rulers. The day after
his election as the caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) came out with pieces of cloth on his
shoulder to sell, because before his caliphate, this had been his source of income.
Hazrat Umar (RA) met him on the way and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ He replied,
‘I have to support my family.’

The rights to criticism and freedom of expression before the ruler, which are
important features of democracy, were evident in the governance of these caliphs.
Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA), a respected companion of the Prophet (PBUH), questioned
Caliph Hazrat Umar (RA) in a public gathering, asking why he had taken two sheets
while everyone else got a single sheet from the spoils. Hazrat Umar (RA) instantly
called his son Abdullah who clarified the position of his father by replying that he had
given his sheet to his father due to his tall height.

Hazrat Usman (RA) had to face very severe criticism by the people during his
caliphate, but he did not attempt to stop them by any means; rather, in reply to their
criticism he always clarified his position publicly.

Hazrat Ali (RA) as the caliph tolerated the extreme abuses of the Khawarij. Once, the
caliph saw a Jew selling his lost chain armour in the market. Being the ruler, he did
not snatch his armour from that person but submitted his complaint in the court of a
judge. The judge asked for the evidence and Hazrat Ali (RA) produced the evidence
of his son, Hazrat Imam Hasan (RA), but the judge didn’t accept this evidence as the
latter was the son of the caliph, and gave judgment against the caliph. The Jew,
observing this rare example of justice, accepted Islam at Hazrat Ali’s (RA) hands.
Today, out of the aforesaid examples, can any ruler of a democratic state present such
example? The leading pioneer of India’s independence, Mahatma Gandhi, had once
said that he wanted such a democratic state whose ruler followed in the footsteps of
Hazrat Umar (RA).

In conclusion, it may be said that Islam had been the pioneer of democracy, but its
followers in general have forgotten their own values along with the democratic system
of governance. It is an irony of history that contemporary Muslim political thinkers
and intellectuals, too, now see Western democracy as a model.

Feedback: More research was needed for this essay. The topic is too large to fit in the
parameter of this short essay. Topic choice could have been a bit simpler.

Marks: 12/20