[invest7manager]

Democracy, as a concept in practice and exemplified by its leading proponents, which are contrary to Islam.
Secularization, liberalization, humanism, civil society- these are the expected maturation of the implementation of 'democracy.'

However, Islam exists separate from 'democracy' and the Prophet (saaw) demonstrated governance without these modern concepts.

Representation?
Islam allows for wakila in fiqh, such that individuals may select qualified individuals to serve as representatives and executors. And the caliph/ameer of the believers receives Bay`ah, allegiance, by which he rules on the people's behalf, but in the service of Allah, not people (as in democracy).

Accountability in governance?
Taqwa is the the manifestation of the conscience of accountability to Allah, and this is the basis of the Islamic society.
The Prophet (saaw) and the khulafah rashidoon exemplified scrupulous, ethical governance of the highest order, superior to even Plato's notion of a 'philosopher king'. Taqwa was the standard by which the society functioned.
Democracy wrongly presumes 'elections' as a means of keeping leaders accountable, when in reality offers no guidance of right and wrong, only who has more power to shape elections.

Civil society?
Islam recognizes Allah as the Lord and God over creation and is best to know Law, Right and Wrong, morality, ethics.
And all of these are present and manifest in the authentic Islamic society.

[retTreftowhexm]

Salam alikum,
really interesting post.
I spend lot of time thinking and debating islamic, inshallah here is lot of smart muslims around me.
I have a question about representation as mentioned in hadith and suggested in post - it is perfectly understood that selection of qualified individuals plays key role. Question is who and how they shall be selected - isnt it kind of democracy rooted in islam? Who can be choosen as qualified person?

w alikum assalam

[effebrala]

Salam alikum,
really interesting post.
I spend lot of time thinking and debating islamic, inshallah here is lot of smart muslims around me.
I have a question about representation as mentioned in hadith and suggested in post - it is perfectly understood that selection of qualified individuals plays key role. Question is who and how they shall be selected - isnt it kind of democracy rooted in islam? Who can be choosen as qualified person?

w alikum assalam

there are a few criterias outlined by the scholars on what kind of individuals can be categorized as "qualified". This reminds me of what some scholars said about Imam Mahdi . Imam Mahdi will refuse the ba'yah until the scholars around him remind him that the sins of the ummah will be on his shoulder should he still refuse to accept the khilafiat, then only he accepted the Caliphate duty.

Allah Knows best.

[ticfarentibia]

Imam Mahdi will refuse the ba'yah until the scholars around him remind him that the sins of the ummah will be on his shoulder should he still refuse to accept the khilafiat, then only he accepted the Caliphate duty.

Allah Knows best.

Subhan Allah amazing