Modern Democracy and Islam

[Das_Reich]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

@krash

Democracy and Islam are not incompatible. . In an Islamic , democratic country, people , through the democratic process , and not a clerical class, will interpret and implement God's law.

how can ordinary people do that? are they qualified to interpret religion? IMHO they can only give suggestions but it is upto the clerics to interpret divine law as they spend their lifetime studying it

[Mr_Fraudia]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

clerics of what sect or school of thought?

[USResident]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

@krash

Democracy and Islam are not incompatible. In a democratic government the legitimacy of the ruler is based on consent of the ruled. Laws are made by a process of consultation among representatives of the people. Both these features are supported by Islam. A tyrant who rules against people's wishes and makes laws on his own cannot be considered Islamic, even if he claims to implement Islamic law.

A common confusion is to say that in Islamic system God's law prevails but in democratic country people make up their own law. This is not correct. God's law needs to be interpreted and implemented. The correct Islamic way would be to do this democratically. In an Islamic , democratic country, people , through the democratic process , and not a clerical class, will interpret and implement God's law.

I would say the only thing that would be democratically done is that the people choose who they think will uphold the Islamic principles better. After that it is the judiciaries responsibility to properly derive the Islamic laws based on the present day situation and needs. Remember the principles never change however the fiqh for them does change based on the context.

[Light_Bearer]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

@Lahore 981

What more can I tell you about the beautiful system of government in Islam. Unlike the fake and empty concept of democracy which make people believe it is ideal, in Islam, the Khalifah can be called before a Judge even by a sweeper/janitor and he does not need a lawyer of pay fees for it. The nature of Khilfah is so beautiful, the justice is free and easlity accessible to every individual. Instead of people running after lawyers and searching for justice, it is the responsibility of the Khalifah to make sure everybody gets justice and make sure he himself knows the people.

it is a beautiful concept if it works, can you please tell why it has not been implemented in any of the islamic countries?

please ignore my bluntness but is it possible that this is unrealistic?

@Lahore 981

In Ottoman empre, this used to happen. The 2nd Caliph of Islam is well known for his watchful eyes as he used to disguise and raom in the streets to know what is going on. Some of the Ottoman Caliphs used to do it too.... can we imagine GW Bush or Blair do it in this democratic system, killers who are flourishing in this democracy?

Not like the Western democratic concept where the lawyers have taken the opportunity to make money in the name of justice. Justice has become more of a business .....

and why does the ottoman empire failed if they were so good in handling stuff like this? could it be attributed to human error? if yes then you have to consider human error factor in all the rest of the political systems as well.

@Lahore 981

I wish to see Khilafah being established on Earth in my life time.....

If somebody assures me its fool proof I am with you.:)

[krash]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

@Das Reich

how can ordinary people do that? are they qualified to interpret religion? IMHO they can only give suggestions but it is upto the clerics to interpret divine law as they spend their lifetime studying it

Ordinary people don't have to create fiqh anymore than US citizens create laws. They elect people who do the job with the help of specialist advisors. What is important is that interpretation is done by consent of people and is not imposed on them by force. That's how the democratic process works.

[saroo]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

Guys my only problem with the modern democracy is that how can we regard the votes of an illiterate person to that of a scholar.........I believe that in Islam there is this concept of Majlis e Shuraa that appoints a Khalifa......However in modern democracy all votes are equal and also we very well know that a common man cannot even dream of indulging in a political process.......whether USA or pakistan getting elected as a member of parliment is one of the most expensive peices of business one can get involved in.....so when someone spends these huge amounts for getting elected serving the nation is not on the top of the agenda........From GW Bush, D Chenny to Tony Blair to all middle east Leaders to all Pakistani politicians are basically loaded and get elected to safeguard their interests.
*Krash * Man i wish you were right.....Tell me how many people in USA and world over didnt want US to attack Iraq and did they succeed......Has Bush answered to anyone or is he likely to answer to anyone about the false basis on which US attacked Iraq....
The point is that this democracy lacks transparency and accountability......sure there will be some examples to the contarary but in truth things that go on behind the scenes businesses that are run empires that are built......you cannot expect people who want power and make an effort to acquire it not to do such things

[krash]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

saroo,
If you are looking for a perfect system, there isn't one.
We may not have perfect accountability and transparency in a democracy but we do have the MOST accountability and transparency. And mechanism for improvement are built in.

Anytime you concentrate power in an individual or a class of people then they would tend to protect their own interests at the expense of the larger community. That happens with the best of people. There are no perfect human beings. Democracy is the best way to live with our imperfections.

An illiterate person has the same vote as a scholar because he is just as human as the scholar. The scholar has no inherent right to rule over him except by his own consent.

[SuperMe]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

Salam,

Government in Pakistan is totally wrong. People are eating money and they just want seats, including the President. Today look at President/Leaders in Pakistan, do you think they care? So selfish in there that Pakistan is getting more poor. I think we should have the Caliphs. Caliphs used to walk all over the place at night to search for anyone in trouble. Caliphs were termed as like "The Servent of People".

[Das_Reich]

Re: Modern Democracy and Islam

^ where will you find men like Ali and Umar who will do all these things ?
not all caliphs were like them