Islam is about democracy

Democracy has everything to do with Islam;

Over 70% of Muslims live in democracies, only 30% of Muslims live in monarchies, dictatorships or theocracies. If these Muslims have a choice, they would rather live in a democracy, because that is as much of an Islamic format of governance as it can be. If you were a Sunni in Iran, Shia in Saudi, Ahmadi in Pakistan or Bangladesh and a moderate in Afghanistan, you’d rather not have an Islamic labeled government. Do I want an Islamic Government? No, neither do you, because the type of governance by Muslims during the times of rightly guided first four Caliphs is not a reality anymore, each one of the nation is having their own laws that make your life difficult. With an exception of a few, we do not have an Islamic government or a Muslim government anywhere to model after, if we do, please write. We should all aspire for Pluralistic democracies; it is good for Muslims and good for the world and vice versa to sustain peaceful co-existence of God’s creation.

Dynastic/Monarchy: If Islam was Monarchy or a dynastic system, Prophet (pbuh) would have assigned the leadership to Ali (ra) or Ayesha or some one in Prophet's family.

Capitalistic :: Leadership would have been assigned to the men who controlled the business in Makkah or Madinah.

Theocracy: Prophet said the religion was complete during his life time and in his last sermon he said, I am leaving this book to you to guide. He did not anoint, appoint or named a religious leaders to interpret the religion. He did not see the need for it. There is no clergy business in Islam, it is between you and the God.

Communist :: Did not exist, as individuals had the right to own the property and business and pay taxes.

Dictatorship: Prophet would have pushed some one to become his deputy, and pushed his beliefs onto others, instead he initiated the Madinah pact that gave rights to every one to practice his or her faith.

Democracy: The Prophet chose democracy, he let consultative form of Government emerge, where by 3 successive Leaders were elected and Ali (RA) at the end from the same generation. Islam does not have clergy,

Mike Ghouse
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.org/

Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based writer, blogger, speaker and a thinker. A frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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Democracy is un-Islamic: Swat cleric
19 Apr 2009, 1949 hrs IST, PTI – Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Democracy-is-un-Islamic-Swat-cleric/articleshow/4421371.cms


ISLAMABAD: Hardline cleric Sufi Muhammad, who played a key role in enforcing Islamic law in Pakistan's restive northwestern Swat valley, on Sunday said there is no room for democracy in Islam and it contravenes the Quran.

Addressing a gathering of thousands of people at Mingora, the main city in Swat district, the chief of the banned Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi (TNSM) described democracy as an un-Islamic system.

The existing political system in the country contravenes Islam and the Quran, he claimed.

Asserting that there is no room for democracy in an Islamic system, he accused Pakistan's rulers of appeasing the West by thrusting the system of 'kafirs' or infidels on the people of the country.

Muhammad said many years of struggle for implementing Shariah or Islamic law in Malakand division, which includes Swat, were now bearing results. He claimed all un-Islamic laws will soon be abolished in Malakand.

The radical cleric, who set up Qazi or Islamic courts in Swat even before President Asif Ali Zardari ratified a controversial law to enforce Shariah in the region, said no appeal could be made against a decision by a Qazi court in civil courts.

Such decision could be appealed only in Darul Qaza, or superior courts in the Shariah system, he added.