The Da’wah To Islam by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud

One does not know whether to laugh or cry when one hears the statement of one of those people claiming to have knowledge, whilst saying that Islam begins with Democracy and ends with dictatorship.

They cite as proof the saying of Allah 􀀬; “And consult them in their affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” [TMQ 3:159] One idea relevant to our subject still remains to be discussed, which is their view that Islam approved of Democracy when the Qur’an and the Sunnah alluded to the subject of Shura. They say: Democracy is nothing but Shura. Just as Democracy is built on taking the opinion of people, Islam has also ordered us to take other people’s opinions. He 􀀬 said; “And consult them in their affairs.” [TMQ 3:159]; and He 􀀬 also said; “And who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation.” [TMQ 42:38]; and the Messenger 􀁕 in his practical, political and military life, used to constantly consult his companions and adopt their opinions. Since this is the command of the Qur’an and the reality of what the Messenger 􀁕 did, then Muslims should follow it. In addition they say, that the difference between Shura and Democracy is only semantic. Different names are not a problem as long as the meanings are the same.

We know that those who call for Democracy are of various types and groups. From amongst them you have the evil deceiver, and also the sincere one who is ignorant of the reality of Democracy. The sincere groups are required to keep far away from such ideas, otherwise they will be like the one who worships Allah 􀀬 out of ignorance, and it will lead him to commit sin. It is the nature of a sincere person to repent, restrain himself and reflect.

Such people once said that Socialism is from Islam and that the Messenger 􀁕 is their Imaam. Now that the putrid smell of Socialism has disappeared, how will they respond now? The same applies to Democracy, which is in its final pangs of death. So what hope do the advocates of this call have? Such an idea is not for the benefit of Islam but for the benefit of Democracy. Instead of exposing its falsehood, they adopt it as their highest thought. They carry it to the people instead of crushing it under their feet.

The realisation of Allah’s 􀀬 command is by making the Word of Allah the highest, and making the deen exclusively for Allah 􀀬. This can only be achieved by a group that is guided in its understanding and aware in its establishment, and enlightened in its creed, deep in its understanding of the Sharee’ah rules and that rejects the alien thoughts and the foreign definitions. It does not accept to bow to the reality or fall under the influence of the circumstances.