Islamic democracy
Dr Ghayur Ayub
These days, democracy is sweeping the globe; it has become a buzz word
among politicians, elite, intellectuals and the public at large. Over
two thousand years ago, it was the budding democracy which helped
bringing down the Greek Civilization after it divided the country into
42 sub-states. History tells us that ever since, it has been crumbling
cultures, customs and civilizations by using one are more of the
following four forces. Pharaohic; when the elected leaders physically
crush their adversaries. Rapacious; when the rulers buy their opponents
or the opponents sell their conscience. Financial; when the powerful
influence corporations for personal interests. Demonic, when the astute
use faith for individual gains.It gradually took the present shape of
what we call the Western Democracy (WD) after the Industrial Revolution.
Today, it stands on five principles;
Electoral system based on one-man one-vote and the age of the voter;
Basic human rights; Gender equity; Child labour. Capitalistic economy.
The WD sets aside religious beliefs, cultural leanings and mental
capabilities of individuals as a result, for example, the votes of
convicts and mentally handicaps from prisons and mental hospitals
respectively, played an essential role in the success of Netanyahu in
Israel. Or, in the USA, Al Gore lost the presidential election despite
getting more votes on the principle of one-man one-vote. The question is
whether nations with traditions, cultures, and religions need a system
which is not only flawed but also tends to destroy the basic heritage
they stand on. And would it not be preferable if they adapt a modified
form of democracy, which suits their traditions and satisfies their
public psyche? Pakistan is a typical example. The reason that the army
has not given a chance for western democracy to flourish is partly true.
The public psyche, which is not framed for such a system, is also a
major factor. They believe it deviates from Islamic values so the only
system that can work in Pakistan would be one that confines itself to
the Islamic tenets. The question arises can we have a democracy which is
acceptable to the west and yet shrouded with religious creed. Yes we
can. Let us call it Islamic Democracy (ID).Broadly speaking, Quran
teaches Tawheed (Unitarianism) and stresses on the rights and privileges
of people through noble deeds. So, Islamic Democracy links those rights
and privileges with God. Standing on these two principles, in ID as
opposed to WD, the power is entrusted in God rather than in people.
Moreover, it does not propagate nationalism as nationalism is contrary
to Islamic teachings. Thus, without propagating for one global Islamic
state, it propagates fraternity between the Muslims living in different
Muslim countries. It also opposes separation of state from religion, a
concept creeping up in America after 9/11. On materialism, ID downsizes
it by bringing it in the garb of religion so that material needs do not
become desperate desires. For elections; there are qualifying criteria
for the voters, the candidates and the chief executive; The voter should
be a sane adult, having basic education with no criminal record. In this
way, the irresponsible, malefactors and the mentally unstable are
removed from the voting list giving chance to the educated, alert and
accountable to choose their candidates
The candidate, in addition to the above-mentioned qualifications, should
be a graduate, have optimum level of intelligence (IQ), and be known for
piety. (Taqua). The Chief Executive (Amir-ul-Momineen), in addition to
the above-mentioned qualifications, should be known for his/her wisdom.
(Hikmah). A Wiseman has foresight, possesses revere insight and has
determination of steel. He knows his goal, the hurdles in the path that
leads to that goal, and has the willpower to overcome those hurdles. As
one can see, in ID not every person can become a voter or a candidate.
This is in complete contrast to WD, in which, age is the only criterion
for the voters and the candidates. It is important to note that the key
ingredient in selection criteria for a parliamentarian is piety (Taqua);
and piety is an essential part of spirituality. Now the question is how
does one scale intelligence, knowledge, wisdom and piety? Briefly, we
are born with intelligence which cannot be increased or decreased.
Knowledge is achievable according to the intelligence one has. Wisdom is
the fulfillment of knowledge. So a person may be intelligent and
knowledgeable but may not be wise. While a wise person is always
knowledgeable and intelligent. Piety is achieved through worldly noble
deeds by helping humanity. In addition, he/she prays regularly, gives
alms, and believes in the Divine scriptures and the Day of Judgment.
He/She is not restricted by the five senses and strives to prevent
people from evil acts and propagates noble deeds. In the ‘virtual
intelligence’ of the computer world, it is possible to scale
intelligence, knowledge, wisdom and piety quantitatively and make an
Organogram of electoral system in ID.On the question of human right
issue; the WD primarily focuses on free speech and that too is used
selectively against certain states as pressure tactics, while ID expands
this issue to five fields: The right to protect the quality of one’s
life and the life itself (Jaan). The right to protect one’s assets and
the assets of others (Maal).
The right to protect one’s honor and the honor of others (Abroo). The
right to protect one’s intellectuality and innovations (Aqal). The right
to protect one’s religion and faith. (Din).Coming to the gender equity;
certain pressure groups in the west highlight this issue primarily for
their interests. The ID looks at this issue in the context of family and
its values which hinge on the strength of parenthood. Among the parents,
the wife plays a pivotal role in shaping the psyche of children who are
the future builders of the state. Because of social structure, it has
become imperative for both the parents in the west, to work fulltime. It
started as fulfillment of basic minimum needs but with passing time it
has become an integral part of social order irrespective of individual
or family needs. In the process, it broke the delicate familial bonds
between parents and their children eroding the society at the core of
social values. As a result, today, we find the mutual respect linked
with united families is diminishing. ID keeps that link intact and in
that context, the female gender is given more responsibilities within
family affairs. This does not mean that they are deprived of taking
active part in other compartments of the society. They are free to take
part building up the state in politics, in social work, or in any field,
as long as it does not adversely affect bringing up their offspring or
breaking up family units.
Child labour is comparatively a new clause endorsed in the charters of
WD, otherwise, when the west was building its economy during the
Industrial Revolution, it exploited laborers of both gender; young, old,
and children, from the poor countries. The clause was added by the
strong private sector of industrial states to choke the competition
arising from the developing countries. The question arises should a
family starve to death or send some of their youngsters reluctantly out
to work? The ID promotes alleviation of poverty from the society making
child labour practically nonexistent. Hadhrat Omar, the second caliph
announced in one of his sermons that he would take full responsibility
if a dog died of hunger in his caliphate. Lastly, it was reported in the
press that the World Bank criticized the capitalistic fiscal system for
its failure to alleviating poverty. It complained that the individuals
and the corporations become disproportionately wealthy at the expense of
the destitute.
In contrast, in ID, the financial corporations carry out their business
by Mudharaba where the borrowing institutions become partners with the
borrowers, removing the notorious clause of ‘default’ observed
especially in Pakistan.I believe, Islamic Democracy can work in Pakistan
without antagonizing western systems. If introduced in its true essence,
it would reverse the existing corrupted electoral system and change it
into a working structure in which people with political decency, moral
integrity, ethical reliability and spiritual propensity represent us in
the parliament. It doesn’t need Plato’s logic to foresee a bright future
for Pakistan in the presence of such parliament in coming years. Pure
western democracy has disappointed the average Pakistanis because of the
moral decay and financial ills that it carries in its baggage.
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