Press Note
Voting in Democracy is Haram (Forbidden)
Democracy Allows Elected Representatives the Right of Legislation, whereas in Islam this Right Solely Belongs to Allah (swt)

With the passage of each day, the Muslims of Pakistan are abandoning democracy. Moreover, they are becoming aware that Democracy is not the system of ruling in Islam, rather Khilafah is. The corrupt ruling elite know that the Muslims of Pakistan are bonded strongly to Islam.

Therefore in order to prevent the Muslims abandoning Democracy, the elite are distorting Islam and ensuring the issuing of Shariah Pronouncements (Fatawas) to claim that voting for the pious and sincere candidate is an Islamic duty. However, in reality, voting in Democracy is Haram. Democracy allows elected representatives the right of legislation, whereas in Islam this right solely belongs to Allah (swt).

In Democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people, so people make laws according to their whims and desires and the ruler implements these man made laws. Islam has declared that Allah (swt) is the sole Legislator who the people must submit their whims and desires to. Allah (swt) said,

(إن الحكم إلا لله) “The ruling lies only with Allah” [Yousuf:67]. After the revelation of Islam, it is not allowed for Muslim men and women to abandon the laws of Islam and make laws according to their whims and desires instead. Allah (swt) said,

(وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلاَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمْ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلاَلاً مُبِينًا)

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision” [Al-Ahzab 33:36]. Islam does not allow a ruler to rule by other than what Allah (swt) has revealed. Allah (swt) said,

(وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الظَّالِمُونَ)

“And whosoever does not rule by all that which Allah has revealed, such are the Oppressors.” [Al-Maidah 5:45].

In the presence of clear Islamic evidences, how can voting in Democracy be declared an Islamic duty? How is it an Islamic duty to elect a parliament which ignores the laws of Allah (swt) and decides itself what is Halal and Haram? Moreover, even if a law from Islam was implemented, it would be because the majority in parliament passed it, rather than it being demanded by the Quran and Sunnah. How can it be that the laws of Allah (swt) require the approval by the people?!

RasulAllah (saaw) never sought the approval of his Companions (ra) before implementing what Allah (swt) had revealed. The Khulafaa Rashideen never sought approval of the people or by the majority of their representatives before implementing the Hukm of Allah (swt).

The reality of voting in Democracy is that it is a process to elect a representative for legislation and nothing more. The reality is that the ruling system of Pakistan is Democracy which is a secular and Un-Islamic system and any aware person can’t deny this fact. So, when a system in its basis and details is un-Islamic, then claiming that voting in Democracy is an Islamic duty, is an act of deception and making mockery of Allah (swt)’s Law. So, any attempt to preserve the Kufr Democracy, which allows ruling by other than all that Allah (swt) has revealed, is Haram and a Sin. Moreover, the Usool Principle of, الوسيلة إلى الحرام حرام “The Means (الوسيلة al-Waseelah) to the Prohibited (الحرام al-Haram) is Prohibited” mandates that voting in Democracy is also Haram. So there is no value in the government sponsored Fatawa which declare voting in Democracy is Halal, even though Democracy is itself Haram.

It is upon the aware and sincere Muslims to expose the reality of the Kufr democratic colonialist system left by the British occupation. They must fulfill the responsibility of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. They must give the people positive direction through mentioning the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (saaw) in which he (saaw) gave the glad tidings of the reestablishment of Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood. Let us all prepare the Ummah for the return of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood, at a time when the Muslims are actively seeking to understand Islam and its system of governance. Ahmed narrated that RasulAllah (saaw) said,

«ثُمَّ تَكُونُ مُلْكًا جَبْرِيَّةً فَتَكُونُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَكُونَ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُهَا إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ»

“Then there will be rule of force, and it will remain as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then Allah will end it when He wills. Then there will be a Khilafah on the Way of the Prophethood.” Then he fell silent.

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Pakistan