Islam is a comprehensive system where worship ( Ibadah ) and legislation ( Shari’ah ) are not divided into two separate actions of life.
The distinction between the secular realm and the realm called religious or spiritual is nothing new to Christians, but alien to Islam and Muslims.
This concept of duality in life is totally unacceptable to Muslims. We Muslims believe that Allah (SWT) is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the Worlds. One Who “… takes account of every single thing (72:28) ; that He is Omnipotent and Omniscient; that His Mercy and Bounties encompasses everyone and suffice for all. In that capacity , Allah (SWT) revealed His Divine guidance to humanity, and made certain things permissible and others prohibited, and commanded people to observe His injunctions and to judge according to them. If they do not do so, then they commit kufr, aggression, and transgression.”
Islam is a unique religion (way of life) where life of this world gets its proper share of importance, It is neither belittled nor denied as in other religions, nor is it accorded all the significance to the exclusion of the Hereafter as in secularism. The importance of this world is superbly described by the Quranic supplication, "O Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire" (Qur'an, 2:201). This verse of the Qur'an exquisitely describes the balance in life that has to be sought if we, the best of God's creations, have to survive the severe moral and spiritual crisis created by man's ingratitude to his creator and his working against the golden principle of balance. Islam as a complete code of life is the only hope in the pathetic state of affairs that mankind finds itself today. Haven't we yet heard God's proclamation "This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (way of life)" (Qur'an, 5:3) Islamic Shariah is a complete scheme of life and an all-embracing social order where nothing is superfluous and nothing lacking. There-fore there is no separation between state and church, This artificial separation, in Muslims view, destroys the transcendence of all moral values. In Qur'anic words "those who forget God eventually forget themselves" (59: 19) and their individual and corporate personalities disintegrate. Thus, Islam is considered the religion in which, through voluntary submission to God, human beings find peace with them-selves and their environment. A Muslim seeks God's guidance in all matters all the time. There is no contradiction between the divine rights of the individual, anchored in the Qura'n, and the core right as embodied in Universal Human rights declarations. Muslims supports fundamental human-rights, rule of law, and division of power with accountability and checks and balances, universal suffrage and eligibility, and freedom of speech and conscious. Islamic Sharia commands its followers to observe the local legal order and participate fully into the community matters on the principals of general welfare of humanity for seeking common good. Muslims can live anywhere in the world, provided they can fulfill their fundamental religious duties. Muslim must respect and abide by all laws of the land.
Voting in Islam
Election and polling is proven from the way in which the first Khalifa, Abu Bakr (R), and the third Khalifa, Uthman ibn 'Affan (R), were chosen or elected by the Muslims of Madinah-tul-Munawwarah in the first century of Islam in the fist Islamic state. There was a consensus (Ijma ') of Sahaba(R) which is found in authentic Hadith literature and therefore, could be considered a part of Islamic Shari'ah.
Absence of the Prohibition
To make anything unlawful and haram, its prohibition must be stated in the text of the Qur'an or Hadith to prove it. In the absence of any text of the Qur'an or Hadith, a given substance or activity is lawful and halal. The opponents of Muslim political participation have failed miserably in presenting any text in support of their arguments because there is none. The quotes, they present do not prohibit political participation and such an opinion is a corrupt ta 'weel of those quotes. A ta 'weel is not part of Shari'ah nor is it binding on anyone and especially, a corrupt ta 'weel. Any opinion derived from such ta 'weel is non-binding.
Desensitization of the Muslims
This argument assumes that political participation will not allow Muslims to continue with Islamic schools, teaching Islam to adults and Da 'wah to non-Muslims, and Masajid will be closed down. In fact, Muslims will gain better opportunities to practice Islam and live as devoted Muslims. This is the whole idea, that is, to improve the conditions for the Muslims to promote and propagate Islam much more freely than it is done now. When Muslims get into the position of power they can try to use the system to remove all evils in this society. Effective action is always the objective and this can only be achieved by constant contact with the 'ulema as previously mentioned. Finally, the following action is advised: We must use our vote and the votes of all family members who are eligible. For instance it is imperative that our elder women who rarely use this legal right do so. It is incumbent upon us to ward off the greater evils which will be realized by our apathy at this time of need. One should consult the people of knowledge and political acumen in their local areas before making a decision on whom to vote for. There are natural advantages and disadvantages to be found in all the parties which is why we have explained the principle of accepting the lesser of the two evils in such detail. One should consider carefully who has been supporting the Islamic rights most and who is promising the most benefit for Muslims on the whole etc.
Looking at the situation of the Muslim community and their need to have their interests met, it becomes advisable for the Muslims to achieve this purpose through the available political system. Through voting, a man can bring such a candidate who sympathizes with the Muslim cause, The vote can be treated either as a good intercession (Ayah 85, Surah An-Nisa), or as Naseehah (hadith narrated by Tamim Ad-Dari in which Naseehah is to be advanced for the betterment of the Muslims in general), or it can be treated as Tawkeel (deputizing someone on your behalf to achieve a certain task), Whichever you take, by voting you can bring a better change in the affairs of this country.
It is incumbent upon Muslims to actively participate for the following reasons:
1) In order to protect our rights as American citizens, we must be involved in politics.
2) Our involvement can facilitate our support of our fellow Muslims around the world.
3) Our interaction, with non-Muslims and our involvement will help to spread the Islam message.
4) It helps to convey the universality of Islam...
Our participation is an obligation in Islam, and not merely "a right" that we ' choose to forfeit at will. It affords us the opportunity to protect our human rights, guarantee the fulfillment of our needs, and work for improvement of living conditions for Muslims and non-Muslims America and abroad... Whatever helps us to achieve these noble goals becomes Islamic ally obligatory. This includes: ...Supporting (both politically and financially) those non-Muslim candidates whose beliefs and values are most compatible with ours as Muslims, and “most address and support our issues and causes... Registering to, and then voting. Although separate acts, they are both an essential part of the electoral process. Our participation in that process is mandatory.
In a situation where there is no worthy candidate (as in non-Muslim countries, where at least the ideologies and beliefs of the relevant parties are contrary to the teachings of Shariah), then the vote should be given to the one who is the better and more trust worthy then the other candidates... Vote should be given to the candidate that one believes will give people their rights, prevent oppression, and so.
If it is thought that a particular candidate or party will be of benefit to the general public in their day to day affairs, then the vote should given to them. And by voting a particular party, it will not be considered that on agrees with all their ideologies and beliefs... At times, voting becomes necessary. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr ( r ) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasalaam) said: "If people see an oppressor and don't prevent him, then it is very likely that Allah will include all of them in the punishment" (Sunan Tirmizi & Abu Dawud). There if you see open oppression and transgression, and despite having capability of preventing this oppression by giving your vote, you don't do so, then in the light of this Hadith you will be sinful.
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