Voting in Democratic Elections The Islamic Ruling concerning its participation

28-02-2008

Bismillahi Ar-Rahmaan Ar-Raheem

By Abu Osama
 

(Edited by Islambase Publications)
 

Introduction
 

It is reported in Sunan ad-Darimi on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (saw) said when the verse,

“When comes the Help of Allah and the Victory, and you will see the people enter into Allah’s Religion in crowds.” [Al-Nasr 1-2] was revealed, ‘They (the Muslims) will leave Islam in crowds the way they entered into it as crowds.’
 

Amongst the Muslims living under Democracy, the perpetual debate as to whether it is allowed for us to participate rages on with opinions ranging from the claim that voting is the Greater Jihad and others asserting that one becomes a Murtad (an apostate) the moment one chooses someone who will implement Kufr (non-Islamic) law over them irrespective if they subsequently are granted power or not.
 

For Muslims Shari’ah has been a complete way of life since the advent of Islam over 1400 years ago, until about eighty years ago when the caliphate was destroyed. If we look to recent History we can see the kuffar lived under systems like Monarchy, Communism and Socialism, which were later toppled and replaced by Capitalism. Today we can see that democracy is the main system lived under whether in the West, or being practiced to some extent in Muslim Lands.
 

Now the main slogans we hear from the dictators of the world are ‘Democracy’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Liberalism’. Basically these all mean that the law and order to govern man is for man to decide, thus breaking any significance that God has any say in mans life affairs. As Muslims we are people who have a history of ruling and abiding by laws direct from the Creator and Commander Allah (swt). So in this day and time when the Shari’ah is not being implemented we are faced with the option of participating, accepting, following and then abiding by democracy, what should the Islamic Verdict be?
 

Understanding democracy
 

It is an undisputable fact that the Muslims living in the West are living in countries which are juristically known as Dar ul-Kufr, the lands of disbelief. This is because the law and order that prevails in these countries are not based upon the Shari’ah (the law of Allah) but are based upon the whims and desires of those Kuffar (disbelievers) in the parliament. In political terminology, such a system whereby the people choose to determine the laws they live by is known as Democracy a term of Greek origin meaning the ‘Rule of the People’. And consequently, the worn out phrase, ‘the rule of the people, by the people, for the people’ is oft repeated by the proponents of such a concept.
 

Election Methodology: In such a system, the population is given the chance over four or five years to choose who in their minds, they feel is best to rule over them in a process known as voting. Those who obtain a clear majority in the different areas or wards, are then voted in as Ministers and such people will then gain a seat in the House of Parliament. In parliament, new laws are discussed, accepted and passed or others removed and amended. Decisions such as taking a country to war, joining the European Union, etc are made depending upon a discussion and vote between these Ministers with the clear majority winning. Subsequently, the people who initially elected these ministers into parliament are the ones who are ultimately accountable for the final decisions made.
 

Election System: Now, if these ministers deem by their majority opinion that alcohol should be permitted (as it is in this Kufr society) then this would be accepted as law (qanoon). In addition if people deem that prostitution, gambling, paedophilia, killing Muslims (as in the wars on Afghanistan, Iraq and the current war on Islamic Terrorism), homosexuality, permissibility of same-sex marriages etc. is beneficial for the people, then through the process of majority voting, these and other motions would be accepted and implemented as law, such that the people will live and judge by them.
 

Having explained the Democratic system above, albeit simplistically, the question the true Muslim believer would like to answer is what is the Islamic Opinion upon this matter? I make such a statement because unfortunately we are living in a time where most people who call themselves Muslims do not actually care for what Allah (swt) and His (swt) Prophet (saw) would say upon the matter, but are more concerned about their immediate materialistic benefits and gains.
 

The Purpose Of the Muslims

The word Muslim is derived from the same Arabic root as Islam meaning ‘to submit’. Consequently, the Muslim is the one who submits himself fully to the commands of Allah (swt) the One and Only True Lord. Allah (swt) has said in the Qur’an, "I have not created the jinns and men but to worship Me." [EMQ 51:56]
 

This verse is Allah’s (swt) command for all of his creation to worship Him alone exclusivity in truth. The Messenger (saw) brought the final revelation; to govern us in accordance to Islam in all walks of life. The divine laws decreed are to be obeyed by the whole of mankind. If one was to look to it first and foremost, they would find that there are no other laws comparable to it. Hence Allah’s (swt) has not left any gaps for Man to seek guidance elsewhere.
 

Verily man is at a loss should he try to bring about laws other than by Allah’s (swt) rule. As Allah is strict in His rule
does not allow any to share in His rule. Allah (swt) also says,

“Whoever joins other gods with Allah; Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will
for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” [19:72]
 

And He (swt) also says,

“..His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that
exists)!” [EMQ 7:54]
 

The purpose of the Muslim therefore is to shun making any partners with Allah (swt) known as Shirk and to worship Allah (swt) alone. The secularists (those who separate the political and spiritual aspects of Islam) may argue that Allah (swt) has created the Muslims for worship and this worship is in salah, zakah and hajj, and has no bearing on affairs outside the mosque. Such statements are simply at best due to their grave ignorance about Islam and the Arabic language or at worst their disbelief in the true tenets of Islam. If the latter is the case then their own hypocrisy is evidence enough as they; Deny politics inside the mosque yet use the Mimbar to pass their kufr politics Claim Islam is a religion of peace yet express anger at the Islamists for highlighting the truth.
 

Claim Islam has no baring affairs outside the mosque yet use Qur’anic and Prophetic evidence falsely to permit what Allah has forbidden and forbid what Allah has permitted. The word Ibadah in Arabic is often translated as only ‘worship’ however, it is not restricted to this connotation only; but encompasses the following; meaning to follow, to obey, to submit, etc.

Therefore the true Muslim only follows the law of Allah (swt) whether it is inside or outside of the mosque; since by doing otherwise would constitute to shirk. Shirk is associating partners with Allah (swt) in His Names, Attributes, Functions or Actions. This could be by way of other gods, demi-gods, people, objects or laws. Shirk is the gravest sin in the eyes of Allah (swt) and one that will not be forgiven, as Allah (swt) says,
 

“Allah (swt) does not forgive Shirk (making partners with Allah (swt)) but He (swt) forgives what is less than that to whomever His (swt) wills.” [EMQ 4:40]

A demi-god does not necessarily have to be a statue or idol, in fact it could be anyone or anything that is worshipped, followed, obeyed or submitted to instead of Allah (swt). It’s easy to fall into shirk should we allow it. For example: Man: MPs, Pop stars, Celebrities, sports personalities, Lords, etc Legislation: Man-made laws, rulings, judgement Man-made Theories: Darwinism, Evolution, Big-Bang, etc Man-made System: Capitalism, Communism, Socialism, etc

Voting Methodology

Voting is a method for a group of people to make a decision on a matter where there is more than one option to choose from. What we are discussing here is voting using the ballot box system in order to elect and delegate a political party to run the countries affairs. Once elected they will run the country by laws & constitutions based upon their own makings i.e. man made laws under a system known as Democracy. In Islam we say that Sovereignty (the supremacy of authority and rule) is for none but Allah (swt). Throughout the history of Islam the Shariah (divine law) was the only rule the Caliphates used to govern mankind and those who were apposed to or rebellious to it were given sentences, up to even Capital Punishment.
 

How is voting for man shirk?

Before we answer this, we have mentioned that shirk is associating partners with Allah (swt) in His Names, Attributes, Functions or Actions. Whatever Allah (swt) has mentioned in the Qur’an as being His sole right is His right and His right alone. For example, Allah (swt) is the Creator and the Originator of the universe. Those who claim that there are others who helped in the creation of the universe as the desert Arabs did, or that there are many deities are known as Mushrikeen (polytheist) or people who commit shirk.

Voting for shirk is shirk

Allah (swt) has linked the process of legislation against what He has revealed as making Shirk. Now turning to the issue of passing laws and orders, we know that Allah (swt) has says,
 

“Verily the absolute right of legislating is for none but Allah (swt)” [EMQ 12:40]
 

Allah (swt) also says,
 

“And He made none share in His decision or rule” [EMQ 18:26]
 

And Allah (swt) says,
 

“Or have they partners with Allah, who have legislated for them what Allah (swt) has not decreed and had it not been for a decisive word the matter would have been judged between them and verily for the Polytheists and wrongdoers there is a painful torment” [EMQ 42:21]

The above verses are very clear and unambiguous in stating that it is only the Right of Allah (swt) to legislate, no-one is allowed to share in what He (swt) has decreed, and whoever does so is a Mushrik.
 

Voting for kufr is kufr

Allah (swt) has warned the Muslims from following the law of the Kuffar, their ways and their sayings which all oppose His divine revelation. Allah (swt) says,
 

“They imitate the sayings of the disbelievers, Allah (swt)’s curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth; They took their Rabbis and their Monks to be their Lords and Legislators besides Allah (swt) and took the Messiah, the son of Mary, while they were commanded to worship, obey and follow none but one God/Allah; none has the right to be worshipped or followed and to legislate but he, praise and glory be to him from having the partners they associate with him.” [EMQ 9:30-31]

This verse was revealed under the following circumstances.

It has been reported by Hudhayfah (ra) recorded in the collections of Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir that the Messenger Muhammad (saw) was reciting the above verse and Udayy (ra) said to him (saw), ‘O Prophet of Allah! They do not worship the Rabbis and the Monks!’ To which he (saw) replied: ‘The Rabbis and Monks make that which is lawful unlawful and that which is unlawful lawful and they i.e. the people, follow them, and by doing so they worship them.’

Although we know that the Jews and Christians did not prostrate, nor bow down to their priests or rabbis, they followed them and agreed with them when matters that Allah (swt) had declared forbidden they would declare allowed; and matters declared allowed their priests would declare forbidden.

Obedience (ta'ah) in legislation is worship, and must be for none but Allah (swt). In Democracy this attribute of Allah (swt) is taken and given to man to legislate with their own desires, thus making them lords and gods beside Allah (swt).

Voting for kufr & shirk is apostasy

Obeying any man-made system knowingly with consent for its source, different to Allah (swt) is an act of apostasy. For Allah (swt) says,
 

“Eat not, Oh believers, of that meat on which Allah (swt)’s name has not been pronounced at the time of slaughtering the animal, for surely it is Fisq (a sin and disobedience of Allah) and certainly the evil do inspire their friends to dispute with you and if you were to obey them by making a dead (un-slaughtered) animal lawful and eating it, then you would indeed be Mushrikoun (polytheists)” [EMQ 6:121]
 

As for the circumstances of this verse, it has been recorded in Al-Hakim upon the authority of Ibn Abbas (ra) that this verse was addressing Muslims when a group of Mushrikeen were debating with them on the issue of legislating. The Mushrikeen said: ‘You call the sheep upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned; dead, yet who is the one who killed her?’ The Muslims said, ‘Allah.’ So they replied, ‘So what Allah has killed or slaughtered by a golden knife is unlawful and what you have slaughtered with a metal knife is lawful?’ To which Allah (swt) revealed the above ayah.

The above evidences and the circumstances of revelation are quite explicit in distinguishing between committing a haram (unlawful/prohibited) action and actually following the kuffar when they rule against Allah’s (swt). Committing any prohibited deed results in Ithm (sin) which will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. However, when Allah (swt) has declared a particular matter haram or prohibited, if one where to obey and follow those who disregard the ruling and say that it is allowed, then by doing this action it constitutes committing Shirk (associating partners with Allah) and one becomes a Mushrik.

Voting method fails

Muslims have tried to use the ballot as a way to elect Muslim leaders into power, aiming that once in power they would implement Shari’ah. Though their intentions were noble what they failed to do was to follow the Method of Muhammad (saw) in taking power and authority.

In Malaysia after the Islamic Party was voted in, the leader was declared homosexual and put into prison thus the power returned to a secular government who restored Democracy. In Algeria even after the Islamic Party took power, the national army stepped in and took power via coup and restored democracy ridding any emergence of Shari’ah.
 

These are just two examples but it is clear to see that though sincere Muslims are working hard to restore Shari’ah, the Kuffar and the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) are working harder to prevent the implementation of Shari’ah. At the time of Muhammad (saw) such was the nature of the call of the Prophet (saw) that the Quraysh had to resort to many different tactics to entice Him (saw) to the extent that they offered him the leadership of Darul Nadwa (the houses of Parliaments at that time). They even offered to live by Islam for one year for which in return the Muslims would have to live by man-made-laws for one year and alternate thereafter. Then Allah (swt) revealed the Chapter,
 

“Say O Al-Kafirun I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship, And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping, Nor will you worship that which I worship, To you be your religion, and to me my religion.” [EMQ 109:1-6]

The Mushrikeen failing in their evil ploy later tried to assassinate the Messenger Muhammad (saw) to prevent his call and the call of Islam from spreading all over the Arab lands. Never once did the Prophet (saw) try to sacrifice his deen to please the Kuffar; nor did he compromise in his call. As a result of his call and actions, the sahabah had to endure a whole plethora of abuse, torture and even death. However, never once did we hear the sahabah complain to the Prophet (saw), rather they endured the suffering at a great cost to their benefits, interests and material objects. Many who were weak and had to migrate to Abyssinia so that they could continue to practice their deen. Unfortunately, those Muslims, who claim to follow the example of the Prophet (saw), cannot even bring one example of how the Prophet (saw) or his sahabah (ra) compromised and began practising shirk or doing haram (prohibited actions) just to maintain their interests. Allah (swt) is sufficient against those who distort and lie upon the Deen!
 

rational argument of the deviants

Despite undisputable evidences from Islam, we still hear murmurings from those who are not happy with the final pronouncement of Allah (swt). They say Muslims are allowed to vote as long as it is for some tangible benefit. Consequently, they bring forth a number of false arguments both religious and rational to support their claims. We will analyse firstly their rational claims briefly in the following paragraphs.
 

FIRST CLAIM: WE NEED PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT US IN POWER TO AID OUR CAUSES SUCH AS PREVENTING WAR
 

Although such a claim superficially sounds very plausible and is often used to dupe the Muslims, it is nonsensical practically. If one wishes to have any political clout in say, the UK parliament one needs to have a complete Muslim or pro-Muslim majority in the Houses of Commons and to a lesser degree in the House of Lords such that they could vote out any opposition to their laws or propositions. In the case of the war in Iraq, the parliament voted in favour of the war by 396 against 217, a majority of 179. Practically speaking, with only 1.6 million Muslims in the UK with no clear majority in any constituent, the Muslim will never be able to have any ability to influence a majority or near majority in the parliament.
 

SECOND CLAIM: IF WE DO NOT VOTE THE RACISTS WILL COME INTO POWER
 

Unfortunately, yet another scare tactic used by the secularists such as the MCB, MPAC, YM and misguided ignorant preachers. No political commentator up until this date has ever suggested a widespread victory for the BNP in any political ward or constituency. Even if they were to come to power, what more harm can be caused by them as a result? In the UK, without the help of the BNP, Homosexuality is widely accepted and the age of consent has been reduced from 18 to 16.
 

Gambling is legalised. Millions of Muslims have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq due to their foreign policy. Hundreds of Muslims have been arrested and held without charge in the prisons. Muslims are being increasingly stopped and searched by the police. Red light districts and prostitution is day by day inching to becoming legalised Schools teach evolution, atheism and interfaith. Islam is still not accepted as an official religion and consequently any Muslim discriminated as a result of their religion cannot appeal.
 

All this has happened by the consensus of the Conservative, the Liberal Democrats and the Labour party. How can any Muslim who claims to be sane then vote for any of those parties based upon such a frivolous argument? Besides this point, the British National Party gains their roots from the disenchanted British population who are loosing their identity, culture and jobs as a result of the ‘immigrant’ invasion. The more the Muslim community becomes vocal, it being only 3% of the total population, and apparent in everyday life, on the television, in the papers, the more the British grass-root population becomes disenchanted with the loss of their British life and consequently more will turn to the BNP to seek a change to that. The more these British people see people wearing bandaana-Hijaabs or sporting designer style beards in their roles as Ministers, the more they will become angry and disillusioned and the more support the BNP will gain. Therefore, this absurd claim that the Muslims by voting for a Saddam Lover will prevent the BNP from coming into power is a non-starter and is simply another of the scaremongering lies spread by the secularists.
 

THIRD CLAIM: WE ARE LIVING IN THE ‘THEIR LAND’ SO MUST PARTICIPATE WITH THEM IN THEIR ELECTIONS
 

This is one of the most preposterous and ignorant claims which are genuine and have been made by some Maulanas! Just because one resides in a particular land does one engage in the deeds of the people around them irrespective if it’s allowed by the Shari’ah or not? By this twisted logic one should also become homosexual, drink alcohol, gamble and allow their children to have girlfriends and boyfriends! I ask those Maulanas and Muftis who make such base claims would they have said the same if they were living at the time of the Prophet Lut (as)!
 

The Muslims should reply to the call to participate in the kufr electoral systems the same way Allah (swt) ordered the prophet Muhammad (saw) to reply to the Quraysh who invited him (saw) to join their system. He (swt) revealed,
 

“O disbelievers! I do not worship that what you worship! And you do not worship that what I do worship. And I will never worship that what you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you your Deen (religion, way) and to me mine.” [EMQ 109:1-6]

FOURTH CLAIM: WE NEED TO GIVE BACK TO THE SOCIETY THAT WE LIVE IN
 

Another claim that has recently cropped up is that it is about time for the Muslims who live in the West to be good Citizens and give back to the society. They seem to think that the Kufr Governments have been so gratuitous in accepting the Muslims to their country and we should be grateful to them. Although such an argument reeks of the old Asian immigrant mentality, it is now being propagated by the second generation of Muslims in the West. No one is claiming that it is haram to contribute to the direct environment that surrounds one; however, the Muslim is the one who helps first and foremost other Muslims around him. As Allah (swt) has mentioned,
 

“Indeed the Muslim Believers are a brotherhood.” [EMQ 21:92]

The Muslim does not go out of his way to contribute to kufr society, as his intention is to always please Allah (swt). Muslims who do actions to please the kuffar should know that their actions will be rejected, and in other cases can lead them to apostasy, such as joining the police, or the army, or becoming an MP.

FIFTH CLAIM: WE SHOULD OBEY THE LAW OF THE LAND AS WE ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO CREATE ANY CHANGE

This argument is another of the defeatist arguments and has no basis in Islam. The first point to remember is that the law that is superior in the Western countries is that of Kufr (disbelief). So what is being asked here is in fact for Muslims to obey the kufr law of the land. And Allah (swt) specifically ordered the Muslims not to obey any Kafir or disbeliever. Allah (swt) said,

“O Prophet! Fear Allah, and do not obey the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites: verily Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom” [EMQ 33:1]

And we have already shown how Allah (swt) has equated the following of any law that is ordered by any law maker that contradicts the laws of Allah (swt) as taking one outside of the fold of Islam. Since He (Swt) said,
 

“And if you were to obey them (the disbelievers) by making a dead (un-slaughtered) animal lawful and eating it, then you would indeed be Mushrikoun (polytheists)” [EMQ 6:121]

“If you obey some of People of Book, they would make you Kuffar.”[EMQ 3:100]

To relate the above verses to our present reality such as in France with the banning of the Hijab in schools and public life; this means that all those women who follow and obey the law of Chirac over and above the order from Allah (swt) to wear the Hijab, are as the people who follow another god besides Allah (swt); and this a grave matter. They should’ve upheld the commandment of Allah or travel to a place of lesser oppression. Allah (swt) has also said that those who follow the way of the Kuffar will become disbelievers. He (swt) said,

SIXTH CLAIM: ISLAM DOES NOT INVOLVE ITSELF IN POLITICS. THERE IS NO POLITICS IN DEEN

This is the usual argument of the one who is a secular; those that contend that religion and politics are separate and Islam plays no role in the life outside the mosque; such as the Muslim Parliament (UK) and in particular their misguided shameful leader Giyasudin Siddique. Such people due to their ignorance about Islam, and embarrassment at being Muslim, wish to change the divinely revealed texts to suit the current age and time. They contend that those who wish to return the Shari’ah to life are like those wish to return to the ignorance of the Middle Ages. Such comments and views are enough to make them apostasies from Islam, since they do not believe in the complete nature of the Qur’an nor the teachings of the Prophet (saw). They are like those who believe in part of the Qur’an and disbelieve in the remainder. Allah (swt) says to these people,
 

“Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in, and do you reject the rest? What is the reward for those among you who behave like this except disgrace in this life and on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For God is not unmindful of what you do.” [EMQ 2:85]

These people do not understand that Allah (swt) revealed the Qur’an for the whole humanity such that all people could live under His (swt) divine laws. It would have been far better for them to propagate Islam. Allah (swt) has revealed,
 

“Then Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth” [EMQ 45:36]

Allah (swt) is the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth. He (swt) is the one to be obeyed in the earth in all spheres of life. Following & abiding by a law other than that of Allah (swt) is an act of Shirk and Allah (swt) does not forgive shirk. Today the entire world is run by Kuffar and Murtadeen (Apostate) leaders who commit and permit kufr and shirk and try to compete & abetter the laws of their Creator & commander Allah (swt).
 

the alleged Islamic argument for voting

We spoke about some of the common rational arguments used by those ‘Muslim’ proponents of voting and exposed their ignorance and incorrectness in light of reality. The reason why we presented these arguments first, before dealing with the Islamic arguments is because most of the fatawah passed by scholars in favour of voting are usually bereft with Islamic evidences but replete which such arguments; hoping to convince the ignorant Muslim masses upon the matter. However, we will briefly touch upon some of their religious arguments to dispel any lingering doubt that voting in a Kuffar system is acceptable according to Shari’ah.

FIRST ARGUMENT: THE LESSER OF THE TWO EVILS

The main argument that these scholars cite to back up their claims that voting for a Kafir to implement Kufr over the Muslims is the “Lesser of two evils” and is therefore justified. The truth of the matter is that these scholars misuse their understanding of a valid Shari’ah principal known as “Lesser of the two harms," whereby in a situation of Mubah (permissibility) one takes the easier of the two options that brings about the less harm to oneself. Divine Permit: In the case of a life and death situation one is permitted to eat or drink what would normally be haram (prohibited) e.g. un-slaughtered meat or alcohol.

Permit Restrictions: In this situation the Muslim can only eat enough meat such that he is able to recover from his ills. What would be said to the one whom having sufficed his basic organic needs, went ahead and began to feast upon the un-slaughtered meat (pork etc) such that he began to enjoy it and invited others to feast with him? Obviously it would be said that he is misusing the lesser of the two harm principle and by so-doing is committing an evil!
 

Let us try to apply this divine permit to the new reality and see if it is befitting.

New Circumstance: Vote or you will die? As regards to applying this principal to voting and committing Shirk there can really be no parallel or analogy (qiyas). Firstly, the issue of being stranded in the desert at risk of losing one’s life and eating the haram meat is one of life and death and necessity (dururah). Who is threatening to kill us if we do not vote? So where are the two such evils that so that one can chose the lesser? There is only the action to vote which is haram or evil, and the other choice not to vote, which is obligatory.

Weakening Iman: The statement that one is choosing the "lesser evil" from the choices is based on an arrogant certainty about the consequences of the choosing the lesser evil winning or working out better. In fact, those Muslims who voted for Clinton in the U.S. elections as the lesser evil in 1992, Tony Blair in 1997 and Bush Jnr in 2000 found that all three of them have acted quite differently once in power than those politically naïve Muslims could have ever imagined! In addition, the "lesser evil" concept (applied wrongly) weakens the Muslims belief in Islam as a complete and comprehensive Deen with solutions to all of mankind’s problems (wherever we are on this earth).
 

Evil Legacy: If the Muslims consistently feel obliged to vote for candidates in whom they do not believe and this principle is continually used to justify further integration into Kufr society, many Muslims will end up feeling that Islam does not have all the solutions to man’s problems- if every time Muslims adopt the Kufr solution! Some may even reject the Deen completely, having integrated into Kufr completely.

Evil Alternative: Another common feature of those so-called Muslims who do opt for the ‘lesser evil’ and vote in Kufr elections is that often this ‘lesser evil’ is not regarded as an evil but as a correct alternative. By these practices being present in the Kufr societies in the West, it has to some Muslims gained a sense of legitimacy — perhaps there may even be Muslims who think of their choice as meritorious.

Evil Acceptance: A sign of this acceptance is that these evils are mentioned openly and discussed without any hesitancy in some quarters. If a person is facing any criminal charge, for example theft or fraud, he would not flaunt it in public. However we find these evils mentioned so openly and discussed without any hesitancy amongst those socalled Muslims in charge of the Kufr political parties and mosque committees; to the extent that one wonders if it is even regarded as wrong. The lesser evils of today were the major evils of yesterday and so on and so forth until we eventually lose all of our Islamic thoughts concepts and ideas. One shudders to thinks what the lesser evils of tomorrow would be.

As Muslims, we are so fortunate that our Shari’ah has been perfected and protected such that we have no need to seek out another way or system for our answers.

SECOND ARGUMENT: THE SHARI’AH IS ABOUT TAKING WHAT IS BENEFICIAL AND PREVENTING HARM

The deviant fatawah that these wicked scholars put forward to the Muslims to accept is that the purpose Allah (swt) revealed the Shari’ah was for the benefit of mankind and consequently, all those things that one perceive to be beneficial is allowed and all those things that one may find harmful is haram. Although the Ulema (Scholars of truth) have spoken at length about the purpose of the Shari’ah being to promote good and prevent harm; never do they mention that the good and harm is what one decides for oneself.
 

Divine Rule: Islam is not based on our own emotions and desires. Rather it is for our emotions and desires that have to be in line with the commandments of Allah (swt) in its entirety. Allah is Al-Naafi (The Benefactor) and Al-Daar (The Harmer) and Only He can bring us both. The good and harm is what Allah (swt) has revealed through the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah (swt) has says,

“Maybe you dislike something and this is actually of benefit for you. And maybe you would like something and it is actually an evil for you. Allah (swt) alone knows and you do not know (however much 'Aql or wisdom you may profess to have)” [EMQ 2:216]

Prophetic Evidence: It is well known that the Prophet (saw) has said in explicit ahadith (narrations)
 

“What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Abu Muhammad 'Abdullah bin Amr bin al-'As (ra) reported that the Messenger (saw) said:
 

"None of you (truly) believes until his desire or inclination is in accordance with what I have brought or subservient to what I came with."

“Any actions not based on our teachings (Islam) will be rejected”

Qur’anic Evidence: For those who take their own opinions, judgement and desires above the laws of Allah (swt),
 

“Do you not see those who take their own Hawa (desires) as gods?” [EMQ 45:23]
 

There is no place in the Shari’ah of Islam for one to make a decision upon a matter once Allah (swt) has decreed it. Allah (swt) has said,

“It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have any choice in the affair. Whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has gone astray into manifest error.” [EMQ 33:36]

Allah’s (swt) Refutation: This argument of benefits & interest has been refuted by Allah (swt) Himself. He (swt) said,
 

"Say: if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribes, your wealth that you have gained, your business that you fear decline, your homes where you live - are dearer to you than Allah (swt) and the Messenger and Jihad in the way of Allah, wait till the torment of Allah reaches you" [EMQ 9:24]

In the above ayah, Allah (swt) has enumerated all things that can be claimed to be of a tangible benefit to a Muslim, from their own lives, wealth to their business and their families. Allah (swt) has said that if these are dearer to us that Allah, His Messenger and Jihad in His way, then we should wait until the decree of Allah in the way of punishment is upon us.

Allah (swt) did not allow the excuse of all these great "tangible benefits" and interests to be used to neglect the obligatory deeds like jihad and we know that we have been ordered in these duties to do as much as we can. However, with regards to the haram deeds, we have been ordered to leave them completely. How then can such a principal be used to argue in favour of voting to gain some material benefits?

If the purpose of the Shari’ah are to be defined by individual Muslims depending upon their limited minds and situations, then what is the purpose of Allah (swt) informing us that certain matters are haram and others halal? If each Muslim would judge what he felt was right and wrong depending upon his benefits what purpose would be there for the existence of any Shari’ah (law or order)? The answer is that there would be no need for such and consequently, those who cite such a principal are actually calling for the complete dismantling of the Islamic Shari’ah and freedom to be disobedient to Allah (swt), His laws and orders.

THIRD ARGUMENT: THE MAJORITY OF SCHOLARS ALLOW IT. NO ULEMA SHARE YOUR OPINION!

Only the one who is feeble minded and has no evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah to back their standpoint resort to the phrase, ‘And who are you? We are the majority! All the mosques allow voting!’ The true Muslims who believe in Allah (swt) are never concerned with numbers or large gatherings; rather they are concerned solely because of the strength of the Islamic evidences and the understanding of the Salaf (pious predecessors). Allah (swt) dispraised the majority a number of times in the Qur’an. He (swt) has said,

“If you obey the majority of the people on the Earth they will take you astray from Allah’s path. They follow nothing but conjecture and do nothing but lie.” [EMQ 6:116]

“Most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.” [EMQ 12:103]

Even the Prophet Muhammad (saw) had warned against following the majority, if they were upon misguidance. As is reported by Imam Nawawi that the Prophet (saw) has said,
 

“Follow the path of the guidance even if few people are upon it and avoid the path of death and deviation (from my way) even if many people are upon it.”

In fact the Prophet (saw) had prophesised that there will continue to be only a small group from his Ummah that will remain upon the truth and guidance. As is reported in Sahih Muslim,
 

“There will remain a small portion from my nation, firm upon the command of Allah (swt); (such will be) neither undeterred by those who desert them nor those who oppose them; such will continue until Allah (swt) establish His Order and they will be victorious over the people.”

Islamic methodology

Allah (swt) has ordered the Muslims to rule by, live by and seek out only Islam and His rule alone. He (swt) orders the Muslims,

“Judge between them by what has been revealed by Allah, and do not follow their whims and desires, and beware of them lest they lead you away from the guidance sent down to you by God.” [EMQ 5:49]
 

"And if you have a dispute in any matter then refer it to Allah (swt) and the Messenger (saw), if you believe in Allah (swt) and the Last Day. This is better for you and the best of settlements." [EMQ 4:59]

“It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have any choice in the affair. Whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has gone astray into manifest error.” [EMQ 33:36]

In fact Allah (swt) has declared those who seek the law of Kufr over the law of Allah (swt), irrespective as to whether they hate it in their hearts or not as non-believers. He (swt) has said,
 

“Have you seen those who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you and that which has been sent down before you and they wish to go for judgement in their dispute to the Taghout (false Judges, MPs, Kufr Law) while they have been ordered to declare Kufr in them but Shaytan wishes to lead them far astray’ [EMQ 4:60]

No Compatibility: The aforementioned clear-cut evidences cite that the law and judgement is only for Allah (swt) and that Allah (swt) is the Supreme Legislator (Al-Musharri’). Democracy as we have also mentioned is about choosing laws, peoples and systems that will rule by and judge by Kufr and laws that were not revealed by Allah (swt). How then can Islam be compatible with Democracy?

No Choice: How can one engage in the process of voting or choosing an MP within such a system? A system that disregards the commandments of Allah (swt); a system that performs istihlal (making halal what Allah (swt) has declared haram), changing the orders of Allah (swt). Democracy is a system (nizam) that says to Allah (swt) “Our majority judgement is better and wiser than what You (the Creator of man life and the universe) have sent to us in your Qur’an and in the Sunnah of Your Prophet (saw).”

No Compromise: The Prophet Muhammad (saw) who whilst in Makkah did not compromise his (saw) deen, aqeedah (beliefs) or khuluq (manners). Rather he (saw) was ordered by the creator of mankind to proclaim the deen openly to the Kufr; to declare his disassociation from the Mushrikeen and the shirk they practised; to command the good and forbid the evil; to guide people to the deen of Islam.

Quotes of the ulema of truth regarding participating in elections

Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdesi: “What we believe and take as a religion, is that participating in the legislative assemblies is kufr, and shirk in Allah whether that be in the states of apostasy that are called “Islamic” or in thelands of original kufr, and this is because these assemblies cause the right of legislating unlimitedly to humans, and not their Lord, and the evidences that such an action is from the clear mukaffirat (actions causing disbelief) and nullifiers of Islam, are many, and we had mentioned them in detail in our book ad-Dimuqratiyyah Din (Democracy – A Religion) and Kashf an-Niqab (Uncovering the Niqab) and others.”

Shaykh Dr ‘Abdul Qadir bin ‘Abdul Aziz: “As for those amongst the people who vote for them (i.e. Members of Parliament), they are committing Kufr as well, because according to the representative democracy, the voters are in reality delegating them to practice the mastership of Shirk – legislating beside Allah – on their behalf. Thus the voters give the members of parliament the right to implement Shirk, and set them up – through their voting – as legislating lords beside Allah. Allah, the Most High, says: “Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords (gods). Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah’s Will.” So if a person who takes angels and Prophets as lords has become a Kafir, how then about the person who takes the Members of Parliament for that? Likewise this is also implied in His saying: “Say: O people of the scripture, come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah.”

Shaykh Dr Hamed al-Ali: “As for the basis of Democracy it has a philosophical side that opposes the very essence of Islam. This is because the system does not give any value to the Shari’ah of Allah (swt), rather the authority is given completely to the people and there is no room for the revelation of Allah (swt). And this is clear Kufr; there is no difference between this concept (democracy) and the worship of idols. The choosing of lawmakers, those that have usurped the right of legislation from Allah (swt), is equal to those who worship the idols.”
 

Sheikh Muhammad Nasr ad-Deen Al-Albani: “Allah (swt) has said, ‘The Law is only for Allah,’ and He (swt) said, ‘Whoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed are the Kuffar,’ and He (swt) said, ‘By your Lord they will not have belief until they judge with what you have brought between them.’ Democracy is a system that is a false God (Taghout) and Allah (swt) has ordered the Muslims to declare kufr (disbelief) in Taghout since He (swt) said, ‘Whosoever declares kufr in the Taghout and then believes in Allah (swt) he has obtained the firm hold.’
 

Therefore Democracy and Islam are two opposing matters that can never be united. Either one has Iman (belief) in Allah (swt) and ruling by what He (swt) revealed or you have Iman in the Taghout (false god-heads) and their rules and laws. Every single actions and thing that opposes the Shari’ah of Allah (swt) is classified as Taghout”.

Sheikh Muhammad al-Shinqeeti: “But in the case of legislative systems which go against the laws of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, referring to them for judgement constitutes disbelief (kufr) in the Creator of the heavens and the earth, such as claiming that giving males precedence over females in matters of inheritance is not fair and that they should be given equal shares, or claiming that plural marriage is a form of oppression, or that divorce is unjust towards women, or that stoning and cutting off hands etc. are barbaric actions that cannot justifiably be done to anyone, and so on. So implementing this kind of system to govern people’s lives, wealth, honour, lineage, minds and religion constitutes disbelief in the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and rebellion against the divine system which was set up by the One Who created all of mankind and Who knows best what is in its interests. Glorified and exalted be He far above having any other legislator alongside Him.”
 

Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed: “The Islamic verdict upon Democracy and those who participate in it is as follows; anybody who believes that almighty Allah (SWT) is not the only, exclusive Legislator and Commander is a disbeliever i.e. Kafir. Anybody who believes in Almighty Allah (SWT) and associates anyone else with Him, contravening his being the sole legislator and commander is a Mushrik i.e. associates another as partner unto Allah (swt). Any Muslim who votes for a person knowing that the Parliament is a body of legislating law is an apostate. Any Muslim who participates in elections to become an MP knowing the reality of Parliament as a legislative House is an apostate.

Any Muslim who does not know the reality of Parliament and he votes is sinful because he did seek the divine ruling for his action before committing it, since the Juristic Principle is that every action, verbal or physical, must be based on an Islamic ruling which is derived solely from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Any Muslim who participates in voting for a candidate whether the candidate is Muslim or non-Muslim basing his action on a misled so-called ‘opinion’ from a rationalist or secular clergyman has been misled and the issue must be explained to him/her. Though believing that Allah (swt) is the only legislator is a matter known from the Deen of Islam by necessity, therefore ignorance about it is not an excuse and he/she is therefore sinful.”
 

Sheikh Mustapha Abu Baseer: “Accordingly voting through the Democratic process is also prohibited and not allowed.
This is because the one who is being chosen does not have any of the attributes of someone who is allowed to claim
this authority over the people.”

A reminder to those who will vote regardless of Allah's (swt) Wrath

We leave the last reminder and warning to those Jahil (ignorant) Kafir lovers; who will go out and work for democracy actively to canvass, support and vote time and time again in the upcoming elections.
 

Wasted Efforts: Inshallah, the clear cut evidences we have provided to you will bear testimony against you in the Hereafter. Whatever shallow measly gains you may gain by choosing your beloved leaders to power, will not count for anything in the Hereafter when you will be answerable for all your actions. At that time they will be thrown into jahanam (Hellfire) -if he dies upon his kufr- and you too will be joining him as Allah will raise you with the one you love in dunyah, just as he or she is your beloved leader. At that time, excuses such as, ‘we were simply following our leader’, or ‘our scholars permitted such’ will not be accepted since Allah (swt) has said,
 

“When those who were followed will disclaim those who followed them, and seeing the torment, all ties between them shall be severed, And the followers will say, “Could we live but once again we would leave them as they have abandoned us now” Allah will show them thus their deeds, and fill them with remorse, but never shall they find release from the Fire." [EMQ 2:166-167]

Freedom & Liberalism: This is what the kuffar actively campaign for; to liberate themselves from being subservient to their creator Allah (swt), and to be free to be slave to man and his whims & desires. They growingly accept what Allah (swt) despises and they freely setup parties such as The ‘Respect Party’ run by George Galloway and his cronies; that stand proudly to respect these values such as; Homosexuality, premarital sex, adultery, fornication, promiscuity, abortion pornography, nudity, alcoholism, gambling and free-mixing.
 

They induce us from a young age to believe in Darwinism and the evolution, big bang theories. Their freedom of speech means they can say “Islam is oppressive” or “Islam is Backward” or they can dictate to you what Islam is, yet when the truth is propagated the brush it off as extremism and bar this freedom of speech.
 

Currently we see scholars such as Sheik Feisal, Abu Hamza, Abu Qatadah and many Da’ies locked up behind bars for practicing their, freedom of speech. As a Muslim these practices and values are strictly forbidden. It is not for us to be inclined towards these vices rather as an obligation we are to expose the evil in society and forbid them, and command the good which is absent. Our call is neither for any such secular political parties nor heralding their stances. Our call must be to Please Allah (swt) regardless of the oppression Man can inflict upon us because the reward from Allah (swt) is far more bountiful.
 

Vile Values: The call of integration (e.g. voting) is a call for further subjugation of the will of the Muslims. It is a concerted effort by the enemies of Allah (swt) to drive the Muslims to integrate into kufr society and to instil into Muslims the values of Secularism, as manifested by the political parties. This drive towards secularising the Muslims has already led to many Muslims suffering the consequences of Freedom. Apparent are the dire consequences in which Muslims have adopted the lifestyles and values they have found around them? Muslim youth (our future) have become submerged into the Kufr culture around them.

Rampant fornication, adultery and even homosexuality have found their way into the Muslim community. Muslim elders have found themselves abandoned and neglected, whereas it was previously thought that the ’old folks home’ was an abode for the Kuffar. New figures from the home office indicate otherwise. Do we as an Ummah want to continue to go down this road?

Un-Islamic Values: It is undoubtedly true that you will not find any evidence from Islam to uphold any such despicable values, so proudly championed by the west. These values are the values of Shaytan and his followers. At a price of selling your deen; is it worth voting to allow all these clear Kufr laws in order that you may gain some material benefit in this world, in exchange for eternal damnation in the hellfire? Allah (swt) warns you about those, the likes of the kuffar as you take as friends. He (swt) says,
 

“O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people; they do not fall
short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out
of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear
to you, if you will understand. Lo! You are they who will love them while they do not love you, and you believe in
the Book (in) the whole of it; and when they meet you they say: We believe, and when they are alone, they bite
the ends of their fingers in rage against you. Say: Die in your rage; surely Allah knows what is in the breasts.”
[EMQ 3:118-119]

And He (swt) said,

“You will see many of them befriending those who disbelieve; certainly evil is that which their souls have sent
before for them, that Allah became displeased with them and in chastisement shall they abide. And had they
believed in Allah and the prophet and what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them for friends but!
most of them are transgressors.” [EMQ 5:80-81]
 

summary

If we truly look to Islam we can now see that it is strictly forbidden to vote let alone believe in the system of democracy. To even have the notion that certain parties are good gives weight to the views that there is a choice in command as to what we are allowed to live by as such as man made laws. At the end of the day democracy is a system put in replacement of Shari’ah and no matter which party goes through the issues such as homosexuality, pornography, alcoholism, relaxed drug laws, nudity, promiscuity, Adultery, fornication, gambling, pop culture, Interest and inflation will never be an issue as they consider it their social values and as we know these are things forbidden in Islam.

To summarise:

Voting is haram (forbidden) which leads to Kufr (disbelief), Shirk (associating Partners with Allah) and apostasy. To accept the system as a legitimate system over Allah’s (saw) decree is kufr.

Voting system failed in the Muslim Countries and is not the Method Of Muhammad (saw)

Voting does not prevent wars (look to current re-elected leaders such as (Bush, Blair, Musharraf)

Voting does not stop Racism. Regardless if they are in power or not evil is still rampant.

Voting is not a binding condition to live in Darul Kufr and no-one is holding a gun to your head to vote.

Voting is not to be done out of obedience to the country that harbours you to show good faith.

Voting is not the method even if we have more power and strength than the opposition. Islam has politics and it has its own method.

Voting is not the lesser of two evils as it is not a matter of life and death.

Voting does not bring you benefit if Allah intends for you Harm and it brings down the wrath of Allah (swt). The Majority are not the standard nor must we submit to peer pressure, growing trend or consensus to vote.
 

Voting and Democracy is not eh System of Allah (swt) and not what he intended for his Believers to live by. Do not look at this ruling as oppressive. We as Muslims were created by Allah (swt) and have been given the true way of life without errors if we submit to his revelation brought down by the best example in the Messenger Muhammad (saw). The creator knows better than the creation. It is Worship to abide by the laws of Allah and to work for that system. On the other hand it is an act of disobedience to live by any system other than Islam. It seems illogical to be a Muslim and not to be proud of Allah (swt) and his laws. It is not fit to portray Islam as the Orientalist would have you do so. Look to the History of Islam and see how it came and brought people out of the darkness into the light.

How even today if practiced there is not a system on earth that can compete in its laws, systems and societal rules. Practical Steps: As Muslims, we must strengthen our own defences against this Kufr onslaught by immersing ourselves in the vast Islamic culture, actively seeking out the Haqq (the truth), and not being satisfied to just imitate our socalled community leaders when they openly go against that which is known from Islam by necessity. At the same time, we need to stand together with the followers of Ahl Al Sunnah Wa al-Jama’ah (The Saviour Sect), wherever they may be, in order to act as a pressure group, in the absence of the Islamic Khilafah State. We must enjoin the good and forbid the evil in society. Boycott the elections and teach others to, stand up for Islam and Muslims, wherever they are. Strengthen our links with our Muslim brothers overseas, to maintain the ‘one-nation’ concept. Engage in the restoration of the Khilafah in the method of Rasullullah (saw).
 

May Allah make this easy for us!
 

“Have you seen those who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you and that which has been sent down before you and they wish to go for judgement in their dispute to the Taghout (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Respect Party etc.) while they have been ordered to declare Kufr in them but Shaytan wishes to lead them far astray.” [EMQ 4:60]

Islamic Power: It is not just a miracle but a reality that over 1400 years ago the Messenger (saw) forbade such acts and to today Muslims are firmly grounded in abstaining from the evil, even without to see the final messenger Muhammad (saw). Do not be fooled believing that imitating and following the kuffar is common practice by the majority of Muslims. We only need to look at the Muslims countries and the political affairs there to see that Muslims are actively working to restore the Sharia’h, and bring honour and solution to the problems on earth.
 

We presented this short article as an exposition on Democracy and what Voting entails. We ask Allah (swt) to accept this as a good deed, performed solely for His (swt) sake, and we hope that it can be used as a testimony on the Day of Judgement against those who participate in the Kufr Electoral process.
 

There is no divine permit to allow us to vote for man-made-laws. The action is prohibited and just like abstaining from Alcohol, gambling, fornication, and other evils this is another action to strictly avoid dear brothers & sisters. May Allah (swt) accept us to be from this ta’ifah and make us amongst the victorious group in this life and the Hereafter Ameen. And the last call is ‘All Praise belongs to Allah (swt) the Lord of all the Worlds’.

Brave nation either accepts half (afghan-American) nor original American president.

Every body knows that we (afghan nation) have been bothered and disturbed under invaders dirty democracy, our 80000 citizens have been martyred and hundred of thousands have been tortured, some of them forced to migrate and put us in many more hardships since 2001. Afghan nation saw the character of democracy and saw those faces have been calling themselves broad minded and saying if democracy comes to Afghanistan, afghans will not only be able to choose their own fate and future but also will get stable democracy, protection of religion and honor, peace will be stabilized and will get joint developments.

Advanced education will be there, women rights will be there 100 percent, and Afghanistan will be same in political and economical field with other nations in the world. We saw every thing what did democracy give to afghans and we saw election for choosing president, American national security legalized 3 million votes from 30 million and put election clean and with out fraud in the history of Afghanistan. We saw peace and stability before robbers used to rub ways and homes during night but now armed robbery in governmental uniforms is done in a broad day light. In Kabul city no one dares to transfer the money from bank, from money exchange to shop or some where else. No one may have heard in the history of Afghanistan a person selling his 4 months old baby to feed the family and remove hunger from his family but such kind of terrible disaster and inhuman activity took place in Afghanistan and only one person did this action but thousands of families have sold their babes just for 100 or 150 dollars to feed their families in advanced democracy.

Press, religion and faith freedom is that when people condemn Islamic rules and afghan cultures and call those people terrorists who want women cover, Islamic teachings, or have freedom fighting ideas. They have published a new syllabus for school children from which chapters of Islamic rules, jihad pillars, Afghans honor stories and articles about jihad have been removed or even not published from the beginning. Women rights ministry was created for those women who were trained and grown up in foreign NGO, s and were given salary in dollars. It opened some fashion and luxury centers and did nothing for women health, difficulties and hardships. America now wants and says that afghan-American president is not beneficial more for it and replaces him with Zulmi-Khalil zad an original American to gain its goals and doesn’t allow any NATO member to flee the country. But afghan nation defeats third time English invasion and destroys nude culture of them. We sacrificed 2 million heads to defeat food, gifts and bread of Russians and we believe that democracy will be defeated as soon as possible and its arguments have been listening to afghans because afghans neither accepts half American nor full American and he will not be able to get victory over afghan nation. Inshallaah.

Submitted by a Mujahid

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