Sunday, October 30, 2011

Caliphate: Flawless Democracy

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent The Most Merciful

All Praise is due to Allah, the King of mankind.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Umar that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: It is obligatory upon a Muslim that he should listen (to the ruler appointed over him) and obey him whether he likes it or not, except that he is ordered to do a sinful thing. If he is ordered to do a sinful act, a Muslim should neither, listen to him nor should he obey his orders. (Sahih Muslim  Book 20 #4533)

Someone forwarded me an article from Orlando Sentinel, which described the complaints against Imam Musri that he has not held elections since 1993, when he became the leader of Islamic Society of Central Florida. In fact, the article says that before 1993 the organization was in chaos, and factions were fighting to represent threir fiqh in the community. Now, this organization is stable and growing. ISCF has registered members, and most of the complaints are from unregistered members.

I have always admired ISCF, and their unity. However, I would like to discuss the form of government that Allah chose for us. If we look at Quran and Sunnah for evidences, we find a unique form of government that is the most efficient. Let me try to present the Islamic form of government.

As we know that Islam is not a religion, but a way of life, so governing a human society is part of that scope. Islam has provided the best form of government I have ever seen or heard. If implemented, it brings the human society to peace and harmony, and provide a just and balanced environment. Many humans do not understand the basic concepts of Islamic government, and thus do not appreciate the weight of its benefits.

An Islamic government (organizaiton) is headed by Allah, and a human is selected as a leader to enforce the commands of Allah.  For this man to represent Allah as an authority, he has to have the knowledge of deen, and qualities of the world affairs. This authority includes both administrative and religous, and it is absurd to have an Imam in the masjid, and another man incharge of administration. Any masjid that runs under these unIslamic conditions, and Imam does not have full authority over all matters, is bound to fail.


Narrated Abu Bakra: During the battle of Al-Jamal, Allah benefited me with a Word (I heard from the Prophet). When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler."  (Sahih Bukhari 9:88:219)


As a mercy, women are exempt from this charge and Prophet (PBUH) established that in the hadith above. Some have challenged the authenticity of this hadith, but I have verified and there is no weakness in it, using all mainstream Usool-Al-Hadith.

It has been reported on the authority of 'Abd al-Rahman b. Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: 'Abd al-Rahman, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left alone (without God's help to discharge the responsibilities attendant thereon), and it you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (by God in the discharge of your duties). (Sahih Muslim  Book 20 #4487)

There are other several qualities that an Imam should have to be selected as the leader of the community like Ijtihad, lack of interest in leadership, and sincerity towards Allah to name some. So, how do we select this person? And, how long this person should lead the community? To answer this question, we have to go back to Quran and Sunnah.

After Prophet's (PBUH) death, a need arose to chose a leader for believers. Abu Bakr was chosen as the leader, due to the status he held, and Ansar also gave up their right on his behalf. Abu Bakr chose Umar as the leader. However, Umar Ibn Khattab refused to hand pick the next leader, when he was dying. He setup a committee of the best of the best believers and task them to chose a leader immediately. They selected Uthman ibn Affan, and he became the leader. So, we understand that if a person is running for the office, they should be disqualified automatically, since they have a desire to be a leader, which usually lead to corruption. Also, the leader is selected for life and not for a specific term. And, the required qualification is the piety and deep understanding of Islam.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It is obligatory for you to listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (rather undue) preference over you. (Sahih Muslim #4524)

Once selected, a leader of the believers is to be followed in all good things, even when we don't agree with him. He is to take charge of the community in all matters, and will  be a paid servant of the community. If this leader commands the community to act on a major sin or deviates from the path, community can depose him. He should keep a shura of men and women from different spectrum of the community to advise him.

In the representative democracy system, which is also called western democratic system, people run for election, asking for leadership position. They will take money from anyone, and do anything to get elected. This is a major flaw, and brings forth the cunning and deceptive people to the top.

In addition, the leaders are elected for a period of time, and asked to go home after the term. So, a qualified person who saves the country and brings peoperity has to sit down on the side line and watch incompitent leader ruin the success. For example, Bill Clinton could have serve USA for 30 more years. It is an extreme of human intelect trying to find best government system, and has become a major flaw.

Islamic government system is based on life long appointment of an able person, who will shape the community towards the goals set for humanity by Allah. He has enough time to establish good programs and see them to success. He has knowledge and advisors to guide him, who are not about to run for election. Of course, the level of piety of the community has to be at a minimum level for this to succeed.

So, Imam Musri is running the organization, according to Islam, and he is qualified to lead the community, and has no requirement to held election. Other Masajid should follow this model, and make the Imam in charge of the community completely. In the absence of that, it is not an obligation for a believer to follow Trustees, and Shura members, who are not educated in Islam, and some sin openly.

Today, there was a meeting to evaluate the option to extend the Jama Masjid, and many people were missing in action. First, I salute to the people who opened it up for the public to take part, but the community is MIA. There were some faces that I have never seen before. Most of the folks from the area where I live were missing, and I was the only one stood up to request them to consider building a masjid in our area instead of expending it. Everyone is looking for a lavish masjid which will attract tourist, but a very few from that bunch come to salah regularly in Jama Masjid. There is only one or two rows sometimes in Fajr Salah. Since the support was not there, my idea was overruled by majority and they moved on to discuss the expansion of the masjid. Masjid does not need expansion, but the level of faith among the people need expansion.

I am ready to pray salah in the mud as the Prophet (PBUH) did. If the 1000 people that attend the Jummah  need more space, please put a big donation box on Fridays, so they can help built the expansion. I have to go and join the 65 people in Isha prayer now, which is the true population of the Masjid. MaSalamah.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Malik that Ubaidullah b. Ziyad visited Ma'qil b. Yaser in the latter's illness. Ma'qil said to him: I am narrating to you a tradition. If I were not at death's door, I would not narrate it to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) say: A ruler who, having obtained control over the affairs of the Muslims, does not strive for their betterment and does not serve them sincerely shall not enter Paradise with them.(Sahih Muslim  Book 20  #4502)

JazakAllah Khairin

A struggling believer
AbuArman Adnan Jumani












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