Is Islam and Democratic Government Compatible?

Looking at the way it is today, Islam and Democracy indeed seems miles apart. Many of the so-called "Islamic countries" today are either hereditary Monarchies, under military rule or ruled by dictators.

However, it was not always like this. 

According to Majid Ali Khan, in his book "The Pious Caliphs", the Prophet (PBUH) "initiated the best system of government for the human race, which we may call as the "Islamic Democratic System" the full accomplishment of which was left to his successors". 

The Prophet (PBUH) did not select any successor and left the choice of the next leader of the Muslims to the Muslim Ummah (followers). Today, that practise is followed in a few countries.

The first four Caliphs - Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (11-13 AH/ 632-634 AD), Umar ibn al-Khattab (13-23 AH/634-643 AD), Uthman ibn 'Affan (24-36 AH/644-656 AD) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (35-40 AH/656-661 AD), were all elected democratically by the Muslim people of the time. They were also known as the Khilafat-i-Rashidah (the pious Caliphate).

The Islamic Democratic System [which lasted 30 years after the Prophet (PBUH)] finally came to an end after Hadrat Hassan, the son of Ali, abdicated in favour of Amir Mu'awiyah (RA) in Rabi'ul Awwal 41 AH. 

What followed was a series of Kings and rulers who often ruled by force. Thus the Islamic World turned from a democratic one to the one that exists today.

However, if you look at the beginning of the Islamic World, we see that in fact democracy was not really strange to the Muslims and was a way of life.
Back to Home  

 

Printer Friendly

Click to Print