Does Islam provide a political system?
﷽
"We told you to agree with our choice, even after spending 27 Billion Rupees, the government is still of our choice, you can't do shit about it" 👺
Two pathways
There is a debate among Muslim speakers about how to bring the change. One says election is the key, you educate and work on people so that they become so enlightened that they bring the right people on top. You can't suppress 25 billion people unless they are mindless sheep. It's a slow process.
The other talks about bloody revolution, you go out all on war with state machinery and it has a lot of blood, so that the rapid decline is put on a pause or flattened completely 🤷♂️. They say you can't do anything if you stay within the system.
Democracy
I would like to approach both these ideas in light of Islamic teachings which I understood. There are those who say Islamic Democracy is unislamic itself. First thing to understand is the term Democracy, in short it means that people choose what they want to do. If people chooses they want same sex marriage and the majority agrees then they are allowed to do it 🫤, that sure is unislamic. That's the reason for adding Islamic before Democracy, so Islamic Democracy in short means that people can choose whatever they want to do only in the bounds of Islamic Shaira. You cannot allow same sex marriage in Islamic Democracy as that part is already Haram it won't even be discussed, you cannot allow Riba banking, you cannot allow gender fluidity. You cannot debate on whether you want to allow pork or alcohol but you can debate on whether we should allow orange juice or Pakola.
So Islamic Democracy, the idea itself is Islamic what people are doing with it is unislamic I agree. It's just like saying all Muslims are terrorists. Islam emphasizes on making decisions inside the boundary of sharia after discussion/shura it doesn't believe in monarchy/ dictatorship, one man said it and that is enough, NO!! only Prophet has that authority as they are under divine guidance from Allah not even Sahaba can make decisions by themselves and impose upon people. Read another one of my article. The Prophet consulted Sahaba about what should we do about the Prisoners of Badr, regarding Uhud should we stay in Madina or should we move out, where there was no divine judgement from Allah directly, he consulted the Ashaab.
وَالَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾
And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.
جو اپنے رب کا حکم مانتے ہیں، نماز قائم کرتے ہیں، اپنے معاملات آپس کے مشورے سے چلاتے ہیں، ہم نے جو کچھ بھی رزق انہیں دیا ہے اُس میں سے خرچ کرتے ہیں
(Shuraa 42:38)
Elections and Choosing Khalifa, any difference?
1st Khalifa, Abu Bakr As Siddique A.S R.A:
...One should not deceive oneself by saying that the pledge of allegiance given to Abu Bakr was given suddenly and it was successful. No doubt, it was like that, but Allah saved (the people) from its evil, and there is none among you who has the qualities of Abu Bakr.... `Umar added, "By Allah, apart from the great tragedy that had happened to us (i.e. the death of the Prophet), there was no greater problem than the allegiance pledged to Abu Bakr because we were afraid that if we left the people, they might give the Pledge of allegiance after us to one of their men, in which case we would have given them our consent for something against our real wish, or would have opposed them and caused great trouble.... Bukhari 6830He also said, which our elders who make decisions in their drawing rooms, the pseudo geniuses should heed to.
...Remember that whoever gives the pledge of allegiance to anybody among you without consulting the other Muslims, neither that person, nor the person to whom the pledge of allegiance was given, are to be supported, lest they both should be killed.... So, if any person gives the Pledge of allegiance to somebody (to become a Caliph) without consulting the other Muslims, then the one he has selected should not be granted allegiance, lest both of them should be killed." Bukhari 6830
2nd Khalifa, Umar Farooq A.S R.A:
3rd Khalifa, Usman e Ghani (Zun noorain) A.S R.A:
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
It was said to `Umar, "Will you appoint your successor?" `Umar said, "If I appoint a Caliph (as my successor) it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Abu Bakr) did so, and if I leave the matter undecided, it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)) did so." On this, the people praised him. `Umar said, "People are of two kinds: Either one who is keen to take over the Caliphate or one who is afraid of assuming such a responsibility. I wish I could be free from its responsibility in that I would receive neither reward nor retribution I won't bear the burden of the caliphate in my death as I do in my life."
'Umar b. Khattab, delivered the Friday sermon and he made a mention of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr. He (further) said: I saw in a dream that a cock pecked me twice, and I perceive that my death is near. Some people have suggested me to appoint my successor. And Allah would not destroy His religion. His caliphate and that with which He sent His Apostle (ﷺ) If death approaches me soon, the (issue) of Caliphate (would be decided) by the consent of these six men with whom the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained well pleased till his death. And I know fully well that some people would blame me that I killed with these very hands of mine some persons who apparently professed (Islam). And if they do this (blame me) they are the enemies of Allah, and are non-believers and have gone astray.... Muslim 1258/567
.... `Ali, `Uthman, AzZubair, Talha, Sa`d and `Abdur-Rahman (bin `Auf) and said, "Abdullah bin `Umar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule..... Bukhari 3700
4th Khalifa, Mawla Ali A.S R.A:
Narrated Marwan bin Al-Hakam:
`Uthman bin `Affan was afflicted with severe nose-bleeding in the year when such illness was prevelant and that prevented him from performing Hajj, and (because of it) he made his will. A man from Quraish came to him and said, "Appoint your successor." `Uthman asked, "Did the people name him? (i.e. the successor) the man said, "Yes." `Uthman asked, "Who is that?" The man remained silent. Another man came to `Uthman and I think it was Al-Harith. He also said, "Appoint your successor." `Uthman asked, "Did the people name him?" The man replied "Yes." `Uthman said, "Who is that?" The man remained silent. `Uthman said, "Perhaps they have mentioned Az-Zubair?" The man said, "Yes." `Uthman said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, he is the best of them as I know, and the dearest of them to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ."
After Usman R.A was murdered by the mob who actually came to protest. All the people selected Ali R.A as the 4th Khalifa. Naturally speaking he was the only eligible person as he was the only one left from the committee which Umar R.A made the rest had already withdrawn at that time. Ali R.A made a speech publicly that I am not in favor of taking such a heavy burden under these circumstances, elect Zubair R.A or Talha R.A but they all insisted that you are the most qualified and everyone will listen to you and then people gave their allegiance to Ali publicly in Masjid and then he showed no tolerance, you could say he was Umar 2.0. You can read this whole episode in the book published by Darussalam written by Ali Muhammad Salabi on the biography of Mawla Ali R.A page 306.
5th Khalifa, Imam Hasan A.S R.A:
...Prophet S.A.W didn't appoint anyone as his successor then why should I...
Sa'eed bin Jumhan narrated:"Safinah narrated to me, he said: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Al-Khilafah will be in my Ummah for thirty years, then there will be monarchy after that."' Then Safinah said to me: 'Count the Khilafah of Abu Bakr (2 years),' then he said: 'Count the Khilafah of 'Umar (10 years) and the Khilafah of 'Uthman (12 years).' Then he said to me: 'Count the Khilafah of 'Ali (6 years, [6 months of Hasan ibn Ali A.S ؓ included])."' He said: "So we found that they add up to thirty years." Sa'eed said: "I said to him: 'Banu Umaiyyah claim that the Khilafah is among them.' He said: 'Banu Az-Zarqa' lie, rather they are a monarchy, among the worst of monarchies."'Jami Tirmidhi 2226 Hasan (Darussalam)Abu Dawud 4646 Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)(additional words in Musanaf ibn Abi Shaybah 37157, Safinah added Muawiyah ؓ is the first monarch)
Abu Zar told Yazeed bin Abi Sufyaan that:"I heard Prophet S.A.W say: First person to change my sunnah will be from Banu Umayyah"Imam Albani commented on it that "in my opinion it means the transition of Khilafa into Kingship"
After Imam Hasan A.S R.A made a truce with Moawiya R.A, he was the first king who was appointed without people's opinion and then he in his lifetime appointed his son Yazeed as his successor and if someone objected they were met with force.
Narrated Yusuf bin Mahak:
Marwan had been appointed as the governor of Hijaz by Muawiya. He delivered a sermon and mentioned Yazid bin Muawiya so that the people might take the oath of allegiance to him as the successor of his father (Muawiya). Then `Abdur Rahman bin Abu Bakr told him something whereupon Marwan ordered that he be arrested. But `Abdur-Rahman entered `Aisha's house and they could not arrest him. Marwan said, "It is he (`AbdurRahman) about whom Allah revealed this Verse:-- 'And the one who says to his parents: 'Fie on you! Do you hold out the promise to me..?'" On that, `Aisha said from behind a screen, "Allah did not reveal anything from the Qur'an about us except what was connected with the declaration of my innocence (of the slander).
Other detailed chains of this hadith can be read here in Tafseer ibn Katheer under the commentary of Surah Ahqaf verse 17. Later on his dead body was found from a cave.
Difference between Muawiya R.A and Hussain R.A
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا اے لوگو جو ایمان لائے ہوئے، اطاعت کرو اللہ کی اور اطاعت کرو رسول کی اور اُن لوگوں کی جو تم میں سے صاحب امر ہوں، پھر اگر تمہارے درمیان کسی معاملہ میں نزاع ہو جائے تو اسے اللہ اور رسول کی طرف پھیر دو اگر تم واقعی اللہ اور روز آخر پر ایمان رکھتے ہو یہی ایک صحیح طریق کار ہے اور انجام کے اعتبار سے بھی بہتر ہےBelievers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those from among you who are invested with authority; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end. Nisa 4:59
Ali R.A was the Khalifa of that time and according to this verse the authority, أُولِي الْأَمْرِ and he as a deterrence fought back and this was also prophesized by Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Hakim 4621 and the main Hadith Bukhari 2812 and Musnad Ahmad 12347.
The main point is Muawiya R.A raised an armed resistance, while Hussain A.S R.A was starting a political resistance not raising arms against Yazeed, the biggest evidence for that is he was murdered with his family in Karbala. Do people take their women and children for war 🤷♂️??? Secondly, the clause of Hasan's peace treaty was broken, it was written that the next successor would be chosen by the people not imposed upon them.
So, to compare both is utter nonsense and that is what Muslims should do, not raise arms against Muslim tyrant rulers rather follow the sunnah of Hussain A.S and do a political struggle and main thing educate people that is the teaching of Islam.
Arfaja told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Various corruptions will arise, so strike with the sword him who tries to cause separation in this people when they are united, whoever he be.” Muslim transmitted it
He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone comes to you when you are united under one man desiring to split you or cause parties in your community, kill him.” Muslim transmitted it.
Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You will have commanders some of whom you will approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who expresses disapproval is guiltless and he who feels disapproval is safe, but he who is pleased and follows them ...” His hearers interrupted, “Shall we not fight with them?” but he replied, “No, as long as they pray; no, as long as they pray.” It means one who feels disapproval in his heart and expresses disapproval in his heart. Muslim transmitted it.
Ali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No obedience is to be given in the case of an act of disobedience to God, obedience is to be given only regarding what is reputable.”
(Bukhari and Muslim.)
‘Auf b. Malik al-Ashja‘i reported God's Messenger as saying, “Your best imams are those whom you like and who like you, on whom you invoke blessings and who invoke blessings on you; and your worst imams are those whom you hate and who hate you, whom you curse and who curse you.” They asked God's Messenger whether in that event they should not depose them, but he replied, “No, as long as they observe the prayer among you; no, as long as they observe the prayer among you. If anyone has a governor whom he sees doing anything which is an act of disobedience to God, he must disapprove of the disobedience to God which he commits, but must never withdraw from obedience.” Muslim transmitted it.
Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Hearing and obeying are the duty of a Muslim man both regarding what he likes and what he dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to perform an act of disobedience to God, in which case he must neither hear nor obey.”(Bukhari and Muslim.)
So, you have to follow the Sunnah of Hussain A.S and teachings of Islam not to raise arms against Muslim rulers like Moawiya R.A did, only political struggle along with educating people that's a must otherwise there will be zero result. Allah will reward you not upon your success rather the effort you put into it. Secondly, if tyranny prevails it is a sunnah of Allah that he raises people like Halaku who demolished the Muslim system which had been corrupted over the years. So, in short ruler should be chosen by the choice of people, that is the main thing the underlying structure is not set in Islam and it will change with time and according to the need of society but no one pseudo-genius sitting in a drawing room should make that decision against people's will if they do, they should remember what Umar R.A said
...Remember that whoever gives the pledge of allegiance to anybody among you without consulting the other Muslims, neither that person, nor the person to whom the pledge of allegiance was given, are to be supported, lest they both should be killed.... So, if any person gives the Pledge of allegiance to somebody (to become a Caliph) without consulting the other Muslims, then the one he has selected should not be granted allegiance, lest both of them should be killed." Bukhari 6830
‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Samura told that God’s Messenger said to him, “Do not ask for the position of commander, for if you are given it after asking you will be left to discharge it yourself; but if you are given it without asking you will be helped to discharge it.”(Bukhari and Muslim.)
Ma'qil b. Yasar told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Any governor in charge of Muslim subjects who dies while acting dishonestly towards them will be excluded by God from paradise.”(Bukhari and Muslim.)
Ka'b b. ‘Ujra told that God's Messenger said to him, “I commend you to God to protect you from the ruler ship of the foolish.” He asked what that was, and God’s Messenger replied, “After my time governors will arise whose falsehood will be believed and who will be assisted in their oppression by those who enter their presence. They have nothing to do with me and I have nothing to do with them, and they will never come down to me at the Pond. But they who do not enter their presence, believe their falsehood and help them in their oppression, those belong to me and I belong to them, and those ones will come down to me at the Pond.”* Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.* This is the tank or pool at which believers will drink on the day of resurrection.
I would recommend reading the book 18 of Mishkat ul Masabih, The Offices of Commander and Qadi, it has various Important Ahadith only few have been added here and if you know Urdu read it in Urdu to understand the essence of it.
Be vocal about the injustice happening around you. Islam doesn't stop you from been vocal about the atrocities done by the government but no armed resistance only political pressure like Hussain A.S.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You, I seek You forgiveness, and I repent to You Tirmidhi 3433
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