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TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE

Britain is set for another general election and the controversy surrounding the Muslim vote is as contentious as ever. There are many motives and incentives to tempt a Muslim to vote and many in the community feel that it is a civil duty. MPs promote voting to Muslims as a means to an end: whether to protest against the war, keep the BNP at bay, or just to hope that the least evil government reaches power. But is this really what democracy is all about? Whether you are a secular democrat, a concerned Muslim or just an apathetic citizen, all of these strategic schemes and political posturing cloud the reality of what voting really is. What are MPs really asking us to do by voting for them?

important to discuss the ruling on doing these things with the intention of benefitting the community. Legislation (Al-Tashree) It is a basic belief of all Muslims that the Shariah of Islam is the revealed law of Allah and that it abrogates all other laws and guidance, including those revealed before the Quran such as the Torah, Psalms and the Gospel. Seeking guidance from any other law or constitution is condemned to failure. Allah (SWT) says, With Allah rests all power of decision, from before and after all else. [EMQ 30:4] And the Prophet (SAW) said to Umar (RA) when he found him reading only a page from the Torah, Are you in doubt O Ibn al Khattab? Have I not brought you something shining and pure? If my brother Musa were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me. [Musnad Imam Ahmed and Sunan Al Darimi]

The truth is, MPs are not asking us to protest against the occupation of Afghanistan, they are not asking us to join hands in support of Palestine, they are not asking us to send a message to Indeed it is agreed among all sects and schools Labour or to help keep the BNP out of of thought in Islam that the Shariah of Islam government and they are not calling us to make has been completed and is perfect; nothing has Shura (consultation). been forgotten and nothing can be surpassed, Allah (SWT) says, Today, I have perfected your Whatever we might personally think about it, the Deen (way of life) and completed My favour Houses of Parliament describes itself on its upon you all and I have chosen Al-Islam to be website as a place of legislation and supreme your Deen. [EMQ 5:3] sovereignty. Parliament is where new laws are debated and agreed. It also says, Parliamentary The Shariah of Allah is perfect and better than sovereignty is a principle of the UK constitution. any alternative, including democracy. Moreover, It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority the right to legislate and decide what is lawful in the UK, which can create or end any law. And and unlawful is exclusive to Allah, Who says, that A Member of Parliament (MP) is elected by The right of legislation is for none but Allah. a particular area or constituency in Britain to [EMQ 12:40] represent them in the House of Commons. [www.parliament.uk] And He (SWT) also says, He does not share His right of legislation with anybody. [EMQ 18:26] There is no doubt that MPs are campaigning so vigorously in the community for one thing and There are many other verses like these. It is also one thing only. They are asking you to select them agreed upon and known by necessity that to be the ones who will legislate on your behalf. people are obliged to seek the judgement of Islam in all matters and forbidden from seeking So the question for Muslims is: what is the Islamic judgement from any other legislator. Allah ruling on making laws and what is the ruling on (SWT) says, On whatever you may differ; the asking others to legislate on your behalf? It is also

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Hukm (decision and law) is for Allah. [EMQ 42:10]

punishment with your representative. For example, the Prophet (SAW) said, Truly, Allah has cursed Khamr (alcoholic beverages) and has No by your Lord! They are not believers until cursed the one who produces it, the one for they seek your judgement (O Muhammad) in all of whom it is produced, the one who drinks it, the their disputes without feeling any hardship in one who serves it, the one who carries it, the one your decision and until they submit to it for whom it is carried, the one who sells it, the completely. [EMQ 4:65] one who earns from the sale of it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. [Say:] Am I, then, to look to anyone but Allah [Reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah) for judgment [as to what is lawful and unlawful], when it is He who has revealed to you this Book, Regarding legislation specifically, particularly clearly clarifying the truth? [EMQ 6:114] when it contradicts Islamic laws, Allah (SWT) has described this type of representation as Are you seeking the law of Jahiliyyah (i.e. man taking and worshipping others as lords and made law)? And who is better than Allah in partners with Allah (i.e. al-shirk), Or do they legislation for people of certainty [the believers]? have partners that legislate for them in the way [EMQ 5:50] of life what they had no permission from Allah? [EMQ 42:21] In fact, ruling, legislating and debating what is lawful or not according to our own opinions and And, They took their rabbis and priests as wishes, as is what happens in Parliament, is lords besides Allah. [EMQ 9:31] described as lying about and abandoning the Revelation, Allah (SWT) says, And rule and judge Uday bin Haatim (RA) was passing by while the between them according to what Allah has Messenger (SAW) recited the above verse and revealed and do not follow their desires. And said, beware of them lest they turn you away from even We did not worship them (rabbis and priests). a part of what Allah has revealed to you. [EMQ The Prophet (SAW) replied: Did they (rabbis 5:49] and priests) not forbid what Allah permitted and hence you forbade it; and they permitted And do not say for any lie your tongue may utter, what Allah forbade and thus you permitted it? this is lawful and this is unlawful so as to Yes, replied Uday. The Prophet (SAW) said, attribute a lie to Allah. For those who attribute That is how you worshipped them. lies to Allah will never succeed. [EMQ 6:116] Public Interest and Benefit (Al-Maslahah) Representation (Al-Wikaalah) Despite the clear prohibition of voting for a So there is no doubt that the job of an MP as a legislator besides Allah, there is still much talk legislator is prohibited in Islam and is a form of about the benefit to the community that could associating partners with Allah (major shirk). But be lost by abstaining from the ballot boxes. what about the one who votes and delegates the Shaykh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: job of legislation to someone else, such as an MP? Verily, the Shirk and to attribute to Allah In Islam, the responsibility and sin arising from without knowledge and all forms of unlawful representation (Al-Wikaalah) is shared by the sexual acts, sayings and transactions, whether agent and the one on whose behalf he is acting hidden or apparent, and oppression cannot contain any form of interest or benefit. upon. In other words, whether you ask someone Whatever is forbidden upon every person in to buy, sell or pour alcohol for you; or if you pay every situation, such as Shirk, Kufr, oppression, someone to commit murder, order someone to steal for you or delegate an MP to legislate law on unlawful sexual acts or to attribute Ahkam (laws) to Allah that He never legislated, your behalf, you will share the sin and

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nothing is permissible from it under the pretexts of interest and benefit. That is because Allah (SWT) says, Verily, Allah forbade the unlawful sexual transactions, whatever was hidden or apparent, and any form of rebellion without Haq and to associate with Allah that which He never revealed, or to attribute to Allah what you do not have knowledge, all of this is forbidden. [EMQ 7: 33] All these are forbidden amongst all people, in all religions and all Anbiyaa (prophets) have been sent with its prohibition. Nothing is permissible from it ever, whether before Islam or after Islam, and none of these can be taken by permit for any interest or benefit for the Deen or for the Dunyaa. [Majmoo al Fattawaa v18 p476]