Is democracy un-Islamic?
It was afternoon, 12 Rabi ul Awal 11 AH that heart breaking event of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) passing away was announced in his holy hujra mubarak.
The announcement was so tragic that many Sahaba Kiram (RA) of very high status were overwhelmed thereby.
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Sidique (RA), who managed the situation very soberly and gracefully. And he therefore succeeded in restoring the scattered hearts and minds of the Ahl e Bet and Sahaba Kiram (RA).
All this was going on that in the meanwhile he (RA) was informed about the gathering in Saqifa Bani Saida, where hot debate was under way about the succession.
Feeling the gravity of the time and situation Hazrat Abu Bakr Sidique (RA) went there along with Omar Farooq (RA) and Obaida Bin Jarah (RA). He (RA) controlled the situation gracefully and delivered a speech in brief, so as to focus on the critical factor of time and to remind the spirit of Islam.
Feeling it crucial, he (RA) out rightly presented two names; Omar Farooq (RA) and Obaida Bin Jarah (RA) before the gathering to chose one of them for the highest responsibility of Khilafat.
But on the other hand, Hazrat Omar (RA) upon this without loosing any moment took the floor forthwith and brought forth Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) before the gathering and said, "none among the Sahaba Kiram (RA) could match Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) in all round suitability keeping in view his track record, for the responsibility".
Having said that first he himself carried out the bia'at, which was followed by the present Sahaba Kiram (RA) without hesitation.
And this way the bia’at was continued tomorrow openly by other Sahaba Kiram (RA) in Masjid Nabawi and so this way the first Ameerul Mo’mineen assumed the high office of Khilafat.
After accomplishing the most crucial and historical tasks of the time, when he (RA) confined to death bed, he (RA) announced the name of Hazrat Omar Farooq (RA) as his successor and so transfer of power was again carried out smoothly at his sad demise and thus Hazrat Omar (RA) assumed the grand office of Khilafat as 2nd Ameer ul Mo’mineen.
After the fatal assault on Hazrat Omar (RA), though he survived for three days but due the severity of the injures his condition was looking not stable, so on consultation with Shahaba Kiram (RA), he (RA) announced six names; Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Usman, Hazrat Zubair, Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Saad, Hazrat Abdur Rahman (RA) and directed Hazrat Miqrad (RA) that on his martyrdom and completion of burial one out of them be chosen as Khalifa and in case of no consensus, one with majority opinions shall be announced as Ameerul Mo’mineen.
So, on passing away of Hazrat Omar (RA), and after completion of his (RA) burial, Hazrat Miqrad (RA) did so accordingly and upon withdrawal by Hazrat Zubair, Hazrat, Hazrat Saad, Hazrat Abdur Rahman, Hazrat Talha, the remaing two; both Hazrat Ali (RA) and Hazrat Usman (RA) delegated the right to Hazrat Abdur Rahman to chose one as Khalifa between them.
And he (RA) did so openly in presence of Sahaba Kiram (RA) in Masjid Nabawai by chosing Hazrat Usman (RA) as Ameer ul Mo’mineen.
He (RA) first himself did the bia’at, followed by Hazrat Ali and thereafter all the Sahaba Kiram (RA), who were present also performed the bia’at one by one and so Hazrat Usman (RA) assumed the office as third Khalifa.
All the worst happened when the third Khalifa, Hazrat Usman Bin Affan was martyred on Friday, 18 Zee ul hajj 35 AH in his house along with injuring his wife Hazrat Naila (RA) by a well woven criminal mob, as a result of a very deep-rooted conspiracy having been hatched in the life time of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) against the Islamic State and emerged as evil axis in tenure of Hazrat Usman (RA), nakedly.
This vicious and venomous criminal intriguing gang, comprised of Abdullah bin Saba, a Jewish convert, Harmuzan, a Persian Zoroastrian convert and Jafeena Al Khalil a christian agent was instrumental in almost all the setbacks inflicted to the Islamic State.
Hazrat Omar the Great (RA), the second Khalifa was martyred by Peruz Nehavandi, Abu Lu’lu’ in vengeance of having been given the terrible defeat to the Persians by Him (RA).
The most horrible and deepest cut in the faith and body of the Muslim Ummah as Shiites and Sunnites was also the brainchild of this gang.
The occurrence of martyrdom of Hazrat Usman (RA) in the circumstances was not something to have been ignored or forgotten. The whole Ummah was in state of extreme shock.
Anyhow after remaining the Grand Portfolio of Islamic Khilafat of being without Ameer Mo’mineen for three days, a number of Sahaba Kiram (RA) succeeded to make Hazrat Ali (RA) agreed for holding the grand portfolio of Khilfat.
I am not supposed to tell you our checkered history, I was to bring the grand scholars at this juncture together to meet my questions and try to travel together for the search of answers.
My first question is, whether any mandatory or explicit procedure for electing or selecting any Muslim as head of Muslim State has been prescribed in the Holy Qur’an or Holy Sunnah?
I think the answer is admittedly in negative.
My second question is, by any stretch of imagination can we produce the personas of the caliber of Sahaba Kiram (RA)?
I think the answer is negative.
My third question is, the Divine Reason for non-mentioning any hard and fast rule, was in fact to leave the Muslims enabled to design, evolve or legislate procedure for choosing their leaders according to the emerging situations and circumstances in the light of Holy Qur’an and Sunnah?
I thing the answer is positive.
My fourth question is, whether there is any doubt that appointment of Taloot (viz. Saul) as founder king of Bani Israel was made from the tribe of Benjamin (c. 1026 BCE) directly by Allah Almighty on merit and who was suceeded by Hazrat Dawood (AS) and he was succeeded by his son Suliman (AS) and so on, for the reason that their Prophet Samuel was old enough to rein Bani Israel, while Taloot had been granted wisdom and stature?
The answer is in positive.
My fifth question is, whether all the four Grand Imams; Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad Bin Hanble and Imam Shafi’i (RA) were not applying the principle of majority (usol e jamhoor) in case of academic dissension?
I think the answer is positive.
My next question is, whether the precedents of appointing all the four Grand Khulafay-Rashidun do not provide a prototype procedure of election of our leaders?
The answer is yes.
There is no doubt that the first ship was invented, manufactured and operated by Prophet Noah (AS) under the Divine Instructions.
So my next question is, would it be prudent or affordable to reject manufacturing or acquiring of modern day technology of navigation simply on the ground that though Muslim invented ship (Noah’s Ark) but since subsequently it was modernised, systemised and generalised by nonMuslims, hence modern navigation would now be held as taboo for Muslims to own or acquire?
The last but not the least, is there any way-out other than democracy for smooth transfer of power?
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Aftab Alam Advocate High Court
Former President,
District Bar Association Swat