The Prophet of Islam (saw) warned the Muslims about the advent of the Dajjal (the anti-Christ), who will appear at the end of time and will call the people to a new religion. The forerunners of the Dajjal (i.e. the Jews and the freemasons) have been paving the way for his arrival and have been imposing upon the people a new religion, i.e. democracy.
Sadly, many people have failed to understand the evil of this system of kufr and oppression and have consequently been deceived into accepting it as a way of life and a means to progress. This concise article highlights seven reasons why the Muslim must reject this evil religion, in order to safeguard his relationship with Allah (swt) and achieve success both in this life and in the Hereafter. Wa billaahit-Tawfeeq.
Point 1: The Shirk in Legislation
The term “democracy” is derived from the Greek word “demoskratein”: (demos), i.e. the people, and (kratein), i.e. to rule. This term has therefore been defined as “the rule (governance) of the people, for the people, by the people”. Thus, in democratic society the supreme source of legislation is the populace (i.e. the people), as opposed to Allah (swt) – a doctrine in direct opposition to Islamic teachings, wherein Allah the Most High says:
“The Hukm (Rule/Governance) is for none but Allah.” (Yusuf:40)
And His Statement:
“And He makes none to share in His Hukm (Judgement/Rule).” (Al-Kahf: 26)
The Holy Prophet (saw) said:
“Verily, Allah is Al-Hakam (i.e. the Judge), and unto Him belongs the Hukm (i.e. the Judgement, the Rule, etc.).” (Abu Dawud: 4955, An-Nasa’i: 8/226)
Democracy is therefore by definition and in principle a polytheistic concept that nullifies Tawheed, i.e. it is major shirk, and thus the Muslim is obliged to disbelieve in and reject it.
“… associating partners with Allah in His Rule is the same as associating partners with Him in His worship. Regarding His Rule He says: [and He makes none to share in His Rule] (Al-Kahf:26)… Concerning associating partners with Him in His worship, He says: [so whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord] (Al-Kahf: 110)” (Adwaa’ul-Bayan)
Point 2: The Electoral Process
It is not permissible for any Muslim to participate in the electoral process. This is due to a number of reasons:
- The Muslim is first and foremost commanded, thus obliged, to disbelieve in and reject every form of shirk, including democracy.
- Without the electoral process democracy would collapse, hence this process is a fundamental pillar of shirk. Indeed, it is not permissible for a Muslim to facilitate shirk and to serve as a means of its continuance. Allah (swt) says: “And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the Verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a discussion other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you will be like them. Surely, Allaah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers all together in Hell.” (An-Nisa: 140)
- By participating in this process the slave has either chosen to be elected as a partner besides Allah (swt) or is guilty of electing partners besides Him (swt) to represent him in violating a right which is only due to the Creator. Allah (swt) say: “Or have they partners with Allah who have legislated for them a religion which Allah has not permitted? And had it not been for a decisive Word, the matter would have been judged between them. And verily, for the wrongdoers there is a painful torment.” (Ash-Shura: 21)
- The act of seeking or desiring a position of leadership, or entrusting such people with such obligations, was not encouraged by the Messenger of Allah (saw) who said: “Verily, by Allah, We do not entrust this work (governmental position) to anyone who requests for it, neither to anyone who desires it.” (Muslim,Kitabul-Imarah: 1733)
It is therefore haram, kufr and shirk to participate in this process of election.
Point 3: The Majority Rule
In a democracy the majority vote is given preference, irrespective of whether that which the majority vote in favour of is pleasing to Allah (swt) or not. The Muslim is obliged to adhere to the truth, irrespective of the small or large number of people who either accept or reject it. The truth is the truth. Ibn Mas’ood (raa) is reported to have said:
“The Jama’ah (i.e. the Islamic community/group) is whatever agrees with the truth, even if you are alone.”
Allah (swt) has informed us that the majority of mankind are ignorant disbelievers and are rebellious. Hence, He (swt) warns us against following the opinions of the majority. Allah (swt) says:
“And most of them We found not true to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fasiqeen (i.e. rebellious).” (Al-A’raf: 102)
He (swt) also says:
“…but most men know not.” (Yusuf:40)
And His statement:
“And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. They follow nothing but conjecture, and they do nothing but lie.” (Al-An’am: 116)
It is thus inconceivable for a Muslim to accept that right and wrong, morality and immorality, and justice and injustice is dependent upon the opinion of the majority!
Point 4: Secularism
Secularism is the belief that religion and religious bodies should have no part in political or civic affairs or in the running of public institutions, especially schools. This ideology advocates that religion is a personal affair, thus it should be confined to places of worship (i.e. mosques and churches, etc.) and must not influence public affairs in any way, shape or form.
The kufr of this concept is clear for anybody who understands even the most basic principles of Islam and Tawheed. There is absolutely no difference between the modern secularist and the mushrikeen who lived during the time of the Prophet (saw), about whom Allah (swt) said:
“And they assign to Allah a share of the tilth and cattle which He has created, and they say: “This is for Allah,” according to their claim, “and this is for our partners.” But the share of their “partners” reaches not Allah, while the share of Allah reaches their “partners”! Evil is the way they judge!” (Al-An’am: 136)
The belief that Islam should not regulate/govern or even influence public affairs is essentially a rejection of some of that with which the Prophet (saw) was sent. This is major kufr which nullifies one’s Islam.
Allah (swt) says:
“Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and disbelieve in a part thereof? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allaah is not unaware of what you do.” (Al-Baqarah: 85)
Point 5: Freedom of Expression
The advocates of democracy assert that a true democratic society protects the individual’s civil right to freely express his opinions and beliefs, without persecution or discrimination. Thus, in a democracy the people are free to express their views, opinions, beliefs, and ideas verbally or in written form, etc. irrespective of whether such expressions are antagonistic towards Islam and Muslims, corrupt, offensive, or harmful. This is absolutely unacceptable according to Islamic teachings.
Allah (swt) says:
“Allah does not like that the evil should be uttered in public except by him who has been wronged. And Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (An-Nisa: 148)
Islam protects the individual’s right to freely express the truth and all that which is good and of benefit to mankind and prohibits expressions of evil and harm. The Prophet (saw) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day let him say that which is good or keep quiet.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Point 6: Religious Freedom
It is also claimed that democracy grants the individual freedom of religious beliefs and practices. This includes the Muslim’s “right” to turn away from Islam and embrace other religions, or to become an atheist. That is to say, democracy advocates freedom of apostasy.
Although the Islamic shari’ah does not compel people to believe in its teachings, it does sanction the right of disbelievers to govern any of Allah’s earth or permit that the rituals and symbols of kufr to be manifested in the lands of Islam. Likewise, it does not allow people to apostatize from the religion of truth, i.e. al-Islam. Allah (swt) says:
“And whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever.” (Al-Baqarah: 217)
Indeed, Islamic Law prescribes capital punishment for those who apostatize. The Prophet (saw) said:
“Kill whosoever changes his religion.” (Al-Bukhari:6922)
Thus, freedom of religion (from an Islamic perspective) is the freedom to worship and serve the Creator of all that exists, i.e. Allah (swt), according to the teachings of His Messenger (saw). If the people of the Book pay the Jizyah, then they are free to remain disbelievers and practice their kufr in their homes behind closed doors. The Most High says:
“Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the People of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah in willing submission and while in a state of humiliation.” (At-Tawbah: 29)
Indeed, the disbelievers are not accorded the right to spread their evil beliefs and practices on Allah’s earth. Allah (swt) says:
“And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (i.e. shirk and kufr), and the religion is all for Allah Alone.” (Al-Anfal: 39)
Point 7: Equality
Equality is another principle upon which it is claimed the ideology of democracy is based. This concept, which is generally perceived to be an act of justice, states that all citizens are equal and are thus entitled to equal rights, opportunities, treatment, etc., irrespective of race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.
However, in addition to the fact that men are not created equal, this concept is a manifestation of great injustice. This is because justice is to accord to people that which they deserve of either good or bad, as opposed to equating the evil-doer to the righteous, the believer to the disbeliever, or the sexually depraved to the morally sound. Allah (swt) says:
“Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds, in their present life and in after their death? Evil is the judgement that they make.” (Al-Jathiyah: 21)
Likewise, women are not equal to men, as was acknowledged by the mother of Maryam bint ‘Imran (a.s) who said:
“And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from Shaytan, the outcast.” (Ali ‘Imran:36)
However, in a democratic society women are, in theory, considered equals to men and are thus accorded the same duties, rights and opportunities, etc. This includes the right of women to stand as candidates in elections and become leaders of nations, effectively becoming rulers over men, something which is prohibited in Islam. The Prophet (saw) said:
“A nation that entrusts its affairs to a woman will never be successful.” (Al-Bukhari: 4425)
These are the seven reasons why the Muslim must reject democracy. It is not possible for one to be a “democratic Muslim”, as it is not possible to be a “jewish Muslim” or a “christian Muslim”. It is either Islam or democracy. The Prophet (saw) said:
“Iman (belief) and Kufr (disbelief) cannot co-exist in the heart of a person.” (Silsalat us-Sahiha No.1050)
Al-Hamdu Lillaahir Rabbil-‘Alameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu alal-Mursaleen