Voting?

[Wardatul_Islam]

Assalam Alaikum.

Allah Most High says:

"Oh you who believe, do not take the Jews and the Christians as your representatives, for they are representatives of one another. And whosoever allies with them, then surely he is one of them…" (5: 51)

"Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that he will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as he granted it to those before them, and that he will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which he has chosen for them. And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship me and do not associate anything (in worship) with me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." (24: 55)

[HOUDA-K]

Walaikoum Salam,

Until last year, I myself used to consider that voting was haram. For me, the issue was black and white: democracy was a heretical ideology and according to the well-known verses in Surah Al-Maidah { verses 44, 45, 47 and 49}, legislating by man~made laws was disbelief.

However, in May 04, Sheikh Haytham Al-Haddad of the Al-Muntada Al-Islami Centre { Parson Green, London }issued a fatwa in support of voting in British elections, subject to certain conditions.

His fatwa, titled ‘Why Vote, and Who To Vote For’ basically stated that voting for a candidate or party that rules according to man-made law does not necessitate approval or acceptance of this candidate’s or party’s methods. Basically, if a Muslim votes for such a candidate with the intention of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil and not because he believes that this candidate’s party legislates equal to or better than the shariah, then he is not committing an act of disbelief.

Obviously, if a Muslim votes believing that the legislation of a particular party is better than or equal to the shariah, then he is committing disbelief.

I think tactical voting to elect a particular candidate will increase some good towards the Muslims and maybe even remove and punish a candidate that has caused great evil and harm to the Muslims. Look at Blackburn for ex,currently held by the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw MP. He is one of the key figures of the war in Iraq in which thousands of Muslim children have been orphaned and thousands of Muslim women have become widows.

His policies support the killing of Palestinian schoolchildren and the desecration of their mosques. He remains a supporter of the detention and torture of Muslim captives in illegal U.S. concentration camps such as Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

On the other hand, surprisingly *gasp*, some Muslim MP’s such as Mohammad Sarwar {Glasgow Govan for Labour } actually voted in favour of the recent ‘anti-terrorism’ (read ‘anti-Muslim’) Control Orders.

Anway, I want to conclude I will be voting tactically on 05 May. Not that this will immediately change the world but, if successful, at least it will punish the likes of Jack Straw and Oona King who stab the Muslim community in the back whilst showing it a smiling face.

W/S

[Wardatul_Islam]

Assalam Alaikum,

Dear Sister in Islam,

You mention a Fatwa from a Sheikh at your local Masajid helping change your view on the matter of the permissibility of elections in our religion. You have not indicated what Qur’anic or Sunnah authority why this man has come to this conclusion? Was one mentioned? Dear sister, be wary of taking what a man of religion states to be permissible, too many people have been corrupted by this stance, taking what others state as being fact. Nothing can become permissible but that which Allah has made permissible and nothing is Haram but that which Allah has made Haram. Allah most high said: "They took their Rabbis and Priests for gods instead of Allah." [9:31] This is another discussion for another time.

It is not to say that elections, in their essence are not allowed. The Messenger of Allah, during the Pledge of Allegiance at Aqabah, said, "Bring out from you twelve foremen to be responsible for their people's upholding of their duties." This clearly demonstrates that such a process leadership is permissible. However, this is not the issue here. We live in a country that is lead on a system of Kufr, with those in positions of leadership operating in the promotion of ideals that are against what has been prescribed. Allah Most High said: "And those who do not rule with that which Allah has revealed, are indeed the Kaffiroon." [5:44]

Breaking it down the pro’s and con’s by which much of the free thinking Ummah believe. The definite pro of voting, or even what has been labelled “the duty of tactical voting” will be eliminating the chance of having another reign of rule by the current government who have not only advocated the killing of brothers and sisters in far-off shores, but have taken money from the Ummah to do this. This brings up feelings of responsibility to the future to say the least. But then in achieving the goal of eradicating one obvious demon, by putting in place something more acceptable does not factor in our religion. There is nothing in the religion which advocates this conduct.

The Galloways and Kennedys of this time seem a far sight better than the people you mentioned, but did not the Prophet of Allah not state: “After you there are going to be days of patience. The patience during that time is like the one clutching on to a hot coal". People will always try and demonise what they see as an easy target for their own gain. However, what is at the heart of these people. Kennedy for one is a self confessed drunk, with serious health problems to boot. He himself has said that if elected will keep within the UN timeframe and continue with operations in Iraq. i.e. more killing of our brothers and sisters until December 2005 at the earliest. Where can it be justified that a person who drinks Khamr, shall be brought into power by a Muslim to rule over him? What should be questioned is what are these people’s stances on eradicating riba in banks? The issue of Homosexuality, and same partner marriages? The selling of Khamr? The age of consent, and whether we should be advocating Zina at all, let alone setting the age of 16 as a standard? These issues are matters which should concern us, not whether or not the Zionist Oona King likes us or not!

Not participating in elections should not mean that one should not try and change the situation as it stands, which is what many tend to do. The Prophet of Allah stated: "Whoever of you sees Munkar, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then let him change it with his tongue. If he cannot, then let him change it with his heart and that is the weakest of belief." Changing our situation is an integral part of our existence. But change for a lesser evil is not! A member of Parliament who gives confidence to a cabinet ruling with Kufr, ratifies treaties based on Kufr laws or elects a President who rules with Kufr is an accomplice with them in their crime. A Muslim individual who helps that Member of Parliament in getting there, is an accomplice with him in his crime.

I see from a topic below that a sister who wears Hijab has entered in the realm of politics. It should not be seen as a great feat for someone to wear a headscarf and run for candidacy, selling out is not an achievement. What would be an achievement would be someone who runs for candidacy setting out loud and clear that they run for Shariah principles, the Khilafah. There should be nothing shameful about this. Those who believe that this is unachievable should ask themselves how will voting red, blue, yellow, green or even fuchsia going to advance to our situation as an Ummah? May Allah most high grant us the patience to work in His name within what has been prescribed in the Religion. Ameen.

"It is He who has sent His Messenger with the Guidance and the path of Truth to make it victorious over all ways of life, even if the disbelievers detest it." [9:33]

[-theTruth-]

Salam

Voting is agreed on by many scholars based on 2 stories
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The first is the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him), as recorded in the Glorious Qur’an. We see that Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) asked the king of Egypt to appoint him as the keeper of Egypt’s public treasury. Allah Almighty says: “He said: Set me over the storehouses of the land, I am a skilled custodian.” (Yusuf: 55) This shows that Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) did not pay heed to the fact that the king was disbeliever or despotic. His main concern was the general welfare of the people and their need of a man as knowledgeable and clever as he was to care for them.

The second incident reported in the Sunnah is that of Muslims’ migration to Abyssinia, as recorded in Musnad of Imam Ahmad on the authority of Umm Salamah, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), who was among those who migrated to Abyssinia. It is reported that Umm Salamah, narrating the incident of their migration, said:

“We stayed in his (An-Najashi’s) land, where we were treated with great generosity and hospitality. During my stay there, some people rebelled against him (An-Najashi) and tried to take the hold of the reigns of power. By Allah, we haven’t felt sadness as we felt at that time for fear that such rebellious (ones) might succeed in their scheme, and then a man who does not know the truth of our religion (nor does he observe our right as refugees) as An-Najashi did may be the sovereign. An-Najashi set out to meet the enemy, who was on the opposite bank of the Nile River. Then the Prophet’s companions said that a man of them may cross the river to investigate the enemy intensively. On that, Az-Zubayr ibn Al-`Awwam, who was one of the youngest among us, said, ‘I will.’ Then they gave him a float and he swam to the opposite bank and investigated the enemy’s preparations for the battle. During this, we observed du`a’ (supplication) heavily for An-Najashi to be victorious over his enemy and he succeeded and stability was achieved again in Abyssinia.” (Reported by Ahmad)

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even if you do not use the above stories we have to follow the 2 commands
when one person is faced with two evils one must take the leasser one
and second thing is
when a person sees evil he must change it even by mouth or the least by heart
so where is the evil? the evil is to allow people who support war racism Gamblings etc... etc.. and keep quite we will be questioned as to why we didn't not use our means to stop it here the mean is the Mouth

[HOUDA-K]

Asslam Alaikoum Wardatul_Islam,

It seems that you need to take a step back from fom your life and learn from our history.

Taking part in the political process is one step towards making a difference. Indeed re ~ educating ourselves on the practicalities and duties as a Muslim is probably another step.

We all agree praying five times is Fard, but does our Fard stop there? No, it does not.

Is there more to being a Muslim than just prayer? Er, yes !

Indeed the greatest scarifies in Islam is to speak the truth in the face of tyranny. Imagine if every Muslim took this simple teaching on board. If every Muslim stood against tyrannical leaders then surely the world would be a better place.

Is smart voting not speaking against tyranny?

Insha Allah we will change the situation of the Ummah with strategy, practical action AND Dua.

Walaikoum Salam

[HOUDA-K]

Originally posted by Wardatul_Islam
I see from a topic below that a sister who wears Hijab has entered in the realm of politics. It should not be seen as a great feat for someone to wear a headscarf and run for candidacy, selling out is not an achievement.

Umm Salama, wife of the Prophet {SAAW}, was renowned for questioning policies and advising the Prophet {SAAW}@ political crisis times { for e.g. Al ~Hudaybiyya treaty ~.

She was also known for courageously questioning the Prophet {SAAW }; as to why men were mentioned in the Quran and not women?.

In response Allah {SWT } revealed the following verse addressing women for the first time:

"Verily, for all men and women who have surrendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women… "

{Quran 33:35}

Aisha, also wife of Prophet {SAAW } was instrumental in political campaigning during and after the Prophet’s {SAAW} life. She demonstrated by controversial campaigns such as; leading a military campaign to seek retribution for the murder of ‘Uthman’ {third Caliph } & rallying people to take arms against Ali as well as leading thousands of men into the battle of the ‘Camel’.

Modern times have seen Zaynab Al ~ Ghazali an activist during Nasir's regime in Egypt {1950s}. A passionate campaigner who encouraged women to take an active part in public life, to hold jobs, enter politics and express their opinion for Islam and Muslims.

She was seen as a threat by the government and imprisoned and tortured for five years before she was released and continued her pro-active movement.

Isn’t it time we realise that we are not up against a “Masculine Zionist lobby”? Women are also pushing the agenda forward that threatens justice for Muslims globally. The pungent force supporting Anti-Muslim and pro-Zionist policies include numerous women, to name a few; Our ‘right honourable’ friends in parliament: Oona King, Anne McGuire, Rosemary McKenna, Margaret Moran, Sandra Osborne, Angela Smith, Lorna Fitzsimons, Louise Ellman, Caroline Flint, Linda Perham, all of whom supported the war in Iraq and are pro-Israeli

Now lets count Muslim women MP’s who are defending policies that effect Muslims ........ZERO! And even active {pro} Muslim women in mainstream media can be counted on one hand ....... the likes of Salma Yaqoob { the Muslimah who you mention in your above post }, Yvonne Ridley, Yasmin Alibhai Brown!

What does this show?

Our distraction by the media, inactive nature, lack of commitment, busy schedules with fashion retail outlets or perhaps just our selfishness?

Insha Allah I pray some time this year I can write an article with the title:

‘Muslim Women in politics becoming a force to be reckoned with’.

[-theTruth-]

Salam

I get really sad when I hear men talking about women as if their job is only restricked to the house that is 100% incorrect a man and a woman are garments to each others hence one unit and when dealing with any issue the two as a pair have the same duty. whether in work home as scholars judges etc..... just because women are not supposed to be seen freely with men for moral reasons
it does not mean they have to stay at home it does not mean they have no role. the prophet(pbuh) saw a woman working in the field and said no word hence he agreed to it
Islam came to liberate women from what people used to say before in the old times
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"And a man will choose...any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman...Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die" Ecclesiasticus, 25:18, 19 & 33. 1
"And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her." Ecclesiastes 7:26, from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
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And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (2:226)
Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight. (43:70)
Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life. (16:97)

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I just wanted to show it out