Political Parties in Islam

Any society is formed of the people and the relationships existing between them. These relationships are what shapes and characterises the society as distinct from another. The relationships themselves are a result of the thoughts carried by the people, the desires of the people and they are controlled by the system of rules existing in the society. A society cannot hope to progress in politics, international affairs, economics or societal matters unless the system implemented is a reflection of the thoughts and desires of the people. If the people are clear in their thoughts about the system and therefore have a strong resulting desire to see the system that reflects those thoughts, then inevitably the society will have a unified goal in life, and progress will be natural for them. But if there is confusion amongst the people on the shape of the system then their desire for accounting the ruler will be small and the system itself will not be a reflection of the peoples thoughts, but rather a contradiction. In this case, progress will be inconsistent for the society and the quality of life will be low. It is the job of political groups to clarify the political thoughts of the people in order that they be unified behind a single thought and hence the system results from that thought.

In Muslim countries today there is a contradiction between the thoughts and desires of the people and the system implemented. This situation has resulted from a lack of clarity in their political thoughts. The majority of the people are Muslims, yet the ruling system is democratic, which is a huge contradiction. Islam orders that the people accept only justice, yet democracy is inherently unjust. It sets out to follow the desires of the majority however misguided. Ordinarily, the majority's desires are manipulated by a powerful minority which is a simple thing to achieve in a representative democracy. Yet Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) commands:

"O you who believe stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against your own selves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor. Allah is better protector to both. So follow not the desires, lest you avoid justice." [ 4:135]

It is often stated that democracy is a more just system due to its limited accountability, when compared to other tyrannical systems. However, Islam demands absolute justice and not to follow anyone's desires, whether minority or majority. Moreover, democracy makes the people owners of sovereignty and this the fundamental principal upon which all democracies are built. However, Islam assigns sovereignty to the Islamic Shariah and does not give the people the right to choose. Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) instructs:

"It is not fitting for a believer, man or women, to have any say in a matter once Allah and the messenger have decided upon it. Whoever disobeys Allah and his messenger, Allah is strict in punishment" [ 33:36]

So clearly, democracy is contradictory to the Islamic belief, and hence is unacceptable as a ruling system for Muslims. Therefore, the ruling system in Egypt contradicts the belief of the majority of people. It should not be a crime to explain this contradiction to the people. Without this explanation the people may desire the democratic system based upon the deception of the people who prevented the rest of the people from hearing the legitimate and real contradiction. When the people are prevented from hearing, then their authority is being usurped from them, due to the prevention from hearing the truth.

Organising a group to discuss with the people such contradictions should be welcomed and not forbidden. Such discussion will elevate the thoughts of the people as they gain clarity and hence strengthen the unity of thought and desire amongst the people. Their unity would be a permanent unity as it is based upon the Islamic belief and it will be a productive unity as Islam provides solutions and systems for society's life. Those who do not believe in the Islamic belief would appreciate the benefit of the Islamic system and hence desire it, after understanding it. The Islamic system builds unity in society on the basis of citizenship for all people of all beliefs. All solutions and rules are taken from the Islamic Shariah regardless of whether people believe its divine origins or not. If people are only united on the basis of Nationalism, the temporary feelings of unity will not outweigh the harm of such a bond. Nationalism is an unproductive basis for unity as it has no solutions for the many problems of life, hence confusion about the system will occur between the people. So a group which calls to the Islamic system among the people, is certainly not a cause for disunity or sectarian strife, as the Islamic system is for all people, not only Muslims. The dangerous call of nationalism, has, and always will be the real cause of discord in a society. The messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "He is not from us the one who calls to Assabiya (nationalism)".

A group discussing with people in order to clarify the political thoughts is the practical way to ensure the implementation of these thoughts . Hence, when the desire of the people is focussed as a result of clear thinking, the ruler will feel compelled to implement the system of the people's choice.

A group discussing with people about society is the method used by the Messenger of Allah and he is the best example to follow. We have been commanded to:

"Take all of what the Messenger brought, and reject all of what he rejected" [59:7]

Establishing such a group is part of calling to the good and commanding the good and forbidding the evil. Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) commands such a group:

"Let there arise from amongst you a group(s) that calls to the good, enjoins the good and forbids the evil. They will be successful" [ 3:104]



Such a group has no need for violence and considers the use of arms unrelated to its work and hence forbidden.