Athens which is considered cradle of
democracy had a classical form of it.It projected the very image of
assembly (national or provincial) that we have today in modern
world.Athens served as a model of democracy.It had a mass meeting of
its citizens and national issues were raised,discussed and sorted
out.Citizens were well aware of the happenings of the state.They had
a say in the affairs that were related and affected them.This way the
two of the cherished rights of democracy i.e. right to vote and right
to know(have information) were available to the citizens of the
Athens. Although.Although one can say was it a referendum or voting power but
either way the common people had active participation in the
process.Athens nonetheless served as a model for democracy.
Now if we look at examples from Islamic
history. We do find the similar pattern of electing rulers by the
public vote .The concept of 'Majilis ash Shura" does substitute for
parliament.It was a form of representative democracy because it did
establish a relation between government and governed.While electing
caliph there would be a gathering of masses and everybody would be
asked about their opinion of the person nominated as a caliph. The
objections of the people were being taken into the account. If the
allegations held its ground after the due process the caliph would
have been disqualified.The standard of assessment for leader was
derived from the morals and principles given by Quran and Sunnah.
Also another one of the celebrated gifts of democracy is the
freedom of speech and the right to know. This was very much practicable in first four
caliphs time of rule.The caliph would deliver a sermon on Friday
prayers. Any citizen of the state could openly criticize any
policy,action or decision of head of the state. The leader was
supposed to provide a clarification of his acts.So he was accountable
to the public that elected him for the job.
All matters of the state
i.e its security, budget and its spending were discussed in "Majilis- ash -Shura". In Al-nour Sura last three verses talks about
democracy meetings The other members of Majilis ash Shura were the well
educated(aware) and experienced ones whom enjoyed the trust of
community. This Shura mechanism was ordered in Quran and its member
were recognized in it as "people of experience" (Al-Nesaa
59-83).
So Muslims do have some golden history
for cherishing and celebrating in which the democratic principles
were introduced and practiced and respected.
4 comments:
Excellent work boy!
In that decisions were taken through the process of consultation and that it was meant to be a system devoid of kingship inheritance in a manner that the leader was a servant leader of the people instead of an absolute king and was thereby accountable and questionable if found lagging in his understanding of a certain issue, it can be termed a close-to-democratic governance style.
However, after due consultation, the leader did hold the authority to over rule his consultation body and make the decision he felt was best, even if that was a lone voice. Also, the election process was not a representation of what we now call a 'democratic exercise.' All citizens of the state were not involved in the consultation process, rather a select group of competent individuals conducted the exercise of deliberating upon who held the right to be the leader of the state. 'One Person, One Vote' was not a recognized principle.
I wonder what implications this analysis has for our process of classifying the early succession of Islamic leadership as democratic in the sense that we use the word today.
The question here lies why is a system similar to majlis e shura not implemented now? Why is Islam not studied and acted upon? Why have these other legal forums been preferred? Saleh! My unanswered questions illustrate a fact that democracy and its laws are a mere manipulation of rights as the ruling party is not made accountable in it.
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