The Cure for Evils of Democracy  Part 2
Islam and Good Governance.

In Holy Quran we can find broad principles of good governance,
justice and fairplay - rather than any specific system or
method - not only for the rulers but also for those who 
exercise bureaucratic authority and power as well as for
the politicians and members of opposition. Study of Holy
Quran and Sunnah would help our bureacrats and aspiring 
rulers to evaluate the manners in which the powers and 
authorities are to be exercised and improve performance 
and conduct according to that.

Islamic values for Good Governance

Late President General Ziaul Haque had  wrItten a letter of 
commendation to Altaf Ahmed Kherie for  his book "Islam - 
A Comprehensive Guide Book". In that he has discussed the 
Islamic values for good governance  in the light of the verses
in Holy Quran and practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). 
As he mentions all the fundamental Human Rights, the principle of 
equality of human beings and Islamic brotherhood, the right to 
freedom of speech, expression and conscience, the guarantees of 
safety of life, property and honor, the right of everyone to get 
his just dues, the right of governance by consultations are all 
enshrined in the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet's sayings and  his 
last sermon and his precepts and practice. These did not remain 
merely as a paper declaration but were fully implemented and 
acted upon by the four rightly directed Caliphs, who performed 
all the functions of an Islamic State. 

According to H. G. Wells in 'Outline of History'; "Abu Bakr 
and Umar are two master figures in history of Islam. Abu Bakr's 
reign was short; but his achievements were momentous. His 
imagination and his determined leap into Syria and Iraq laid 
the foundations of the Arab World empire."  Umar streamlined
the administration of the Islamic state and created separate
departments for justice, finances, military and police.
All the four caliphs strictly observed the sanctity of
governance by consultations and justice for all - including
Non-Muslims equally. 

It is ironical that the principles of human rights and 
governance through consultations as enunciated over 1, 500 
years ago by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) have been 
forgotten by Muslims but they have been adopted by the West 
in some way. The system of governance in USA appears to be
based on the some of the same basic ideals as laid down in 
Holy Quran. Examples for good governance were not only
by the Holy Prophet but also by his immediate successors - 
the four rightly directed caliphs (Khulfa -i- Rshidin).

In the light of different verses of Holy Quran, scholars like 
Altaf Ahmed Khairie and Dr. Fazlur Rehman Ansari have pointed 
out that  the sovereignty belongs to Allah. Man is merely a 
vicegerent of Allah on the Earth and cannot be absolute owner 
possessing absolute sovereign rights. He can act only as a 
trustee and has to perform the duties as a ruler, in 
consultation with the Shura and according to the commandments 
of Holy Quran and as laid down in Sunnah. 
 

a) Allah's promise of granting power and authority is for 
those who believe and act righteously for the benefit of 
the society. And this authority must be exercised for 
establishing Islam and peace and to ensure justice, fair 
play and progress and to guard against oppression, 
injustice and wrong doings. 

b) The role of Shura i.e. consultation to help the rulers 
in good governance has been part of our traditions and that 
paved the way of Parliament and Senate in the constitution 
of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

c) But the qualifications of rulers and their deputies as 
well the voters are two major areas where conformity to 
Islamic ideals needs to be ensured.

The qualification for bestowing authority or eligibility 
for an office for public administration would appear to be 
knowledge (qualifications), piety, fear of Allah and 
unflinching faith and ability to do justice in comformity 
with the standards of conduct as laid down in Holy Quran 
and the Sunnah. 

The qualification of piety would render such politicians 
ineligible to contest or vote if they have been convicted
by a court of law of a sovereign state. The familiarity 
with the commandments and prohibition laid down in Holy 
Quran would be a must. "Deenyat" or Islamic Studies has
been a compulsorty subject in our schools but the courses 
need to be simplified and made more practical.

It would do well if all the politicians and bureaucrats 
are made to undergo a refresher course relating to 
Justice, trust and other commandments of Holy Quran.
 
Adult Franchise

An important question is that whether  the concept of the
adult franchise or universal suffrage is in accordance with 
the Islamic values. This needs to be settled by Ijtehad.

There are qualifications for voters in the Western democracy 
such as age, nationality etc. Israel is purely a Jewish state. 
Muslims and Christians do not have the same right as Jews.

The qualification of voters according to the Islamic values 
may not be materially different as the constitution of 
Islamic Republic of Pakistan was adopted after taking into 
account Islamic values and traditions. But a review of that 
appears to be advisable. Although the beggars,  destitute, 
illiterate Muslims who do not know even the basics of Islams,
deserve our sympathy and help, it is doubtful if their 
judgement in electing a competent representative can be 
relied upon specially as the experience has indicated that 
their votes are purchasable cheaply and easily.  Moreover, 
according to some traditions, the opinions of persons 
of guilty of moral terpitude are to be ignored! Only by 
Ijtehad we can learn if this applies to voters or candidates!

In his article 'Voting can be Ibadah', by Dr. Ahmad Shafaat 
writes that Ibadah, as understood in Islam, includes 
every action that is performed with the intention (or niyyah) 
of fulfilling the wishes of the Creator, whether directly or 
indirectly. --- Now, it is one of the divine wishes that 
believers run their affairs through mutual consultation 
(shura banahum) (42:36-38). --- Now, voting is a form of 
shura or consultation. ---  Consequently, it would be 
counted as ibadah in Islam if a Muslim votes with honesty. 

When mere voting is as sacred as Ibadah, running political
movements would require much greater responsibility and the 
all the principles for authority and use of powers apply in 
organizing political parties and their leaders must set 
example by running the party according to Islamic ideals. 
 

Monarchy 

While the Holy Quran does not specifically abolish the 
institution of monarchy, there is no trace in the holy book of
any divine right to rule by any individual, or family or class 
or race. Although there is mention of kings, there is no specific 
provision or religious sanction for automatic succession to the 
office of ruler. According to Holy Quran the sovereignty belongs 
to Allah. Man is merely a vicegerent of Allah on the Earth and 
cannot be absolute owner possessing absolute sovereign rights. 
He can act only as a trustee and has to perform the duties as 
a ruler, in consultation with the Shura and according to the 
commandment of Holy Quran and as laid down in Sunnah. 

Honesty and Justice in All Dealings

As mentioned in Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophet (sws) based his
dealings strictly on truth and justice. He strongly disapproved 
all transactions which involve any kind of injustice or hardship
to the buyer or the seller. One should not take undue advantage 
of the simplicity or ignorance of the other.Islam, which condemns 
every kind of injustice and exploitation in human relations, 
wants its followers to conduct business in a sublime spirit of 
justice tempered with human kindness.

Holy Quran shows us that, because of moral weakness of mankind, 
God sent prophets to teach both individuals and nations correct 
moral and spiritual standards and values. As the messages of all 
prophets emanate from the same divine source, religions are 
basically one. All prophets are are the most perfect exemplars 
for humanity. And Muhammad (sws) was the last and final prophet 
and that the Quran is the final and perfect revelation of God, 
consummating and superseding all earlier revelations like 
Torah and Bible. Believe in day of judgment for rewards and 
punishment in afterlife for good and bad deeds, is among the
basic articles of Islamic faith.

Jihad and terrorism

Forcible conversion to Islam has been forbidden by Allah. But 
many people in the West were under the wrong impression that 
Islam spread by the Sword. It is now being refuted not only by 
Muslims but the enlightened and unbiased non Muslims and even 
by some the bitterest critics of Islam and they have given 
their own reasons for phenomenal spread of Islam. For instance 
Edward Gibbon in his book "The Decline and Fall of Roman 
Empire" observes

" A pernicious tenet has been imputed to the Mohammadans, 
the duty of extirpating  all other religions by the sword. 
This charge of ignorance and bigotry is refuted by the 
Koran, by the history of Musalman conquerors, and by their 
public and legal toleration of the Christian worship." 
 

Jihad, in Islam, means the spiritual struggle against evil. 
The struggle canbe by the heart, the tongue, the hand, and 
the sword. These refer to the inner, spiritual war of the
heart against vice, passion, and ignorance; spreading the 
word of Islam with one's tongue; choosing to do good and 
avoiding evil with one's hand. 

Jihad also means a full fledged war as declared by the 
state to defend the sovereignty or repulse threat to the 
state's freedom, security or religion. 

The concept of Jehad is still misunderstood not only in 
the West but also by a few Muslims -specially those struggling 
for freedom or who have been victim of human right abuses by 
their rulers. Although suicide is prohibited, martyrdom in the 
course of Jihad is matter of great honor to be rewarded by Allah 
by a special place in paradise. Volunteering for suicide squads 
is not unique to Arabs. In many other countries like Japan, 
Vietnam, Cambodia etc such spirit is seen. 

It would be observed that the countries that are worst affected 
by terrorism are those whose record of human rights abuses is 
bad or those who give aid to or favor the countries using brute 
state power to crush freedom movement. Desperate people burning 
with the desire of vengeance but having little means to fight 
with the State power resort to terrorist acts. But Islam does 
not permit such brutalities whatever the cause may be and 
killing of innocent people is prohibited.

Economic Reforms

There are some proponents of Islamic Economics who do not
themselves know how the Islamic Economics would differ with 
the conventional science of economics. However, they talk 
about applicability of Islamic code of ethics to economic 
activities at all levels which is understandable. It is said 
that Islam discourages accumulation and blocking of wealth but 
views differ as to how wealth and property are to be used for 
individual and collective benefits. Predominant opinion tends to 
favor capitalism excet that some believe that giant industries 
or public utility services of mammoth scale like Railways, 
Airlines, Electricity, Telephones etc. be in public sector 
under government control. Some opine free education, medical 
care and assistance for widows, unemployed, retired, disabled 
and destitutes should be the state responsbility. Few Mullahs 
know that most of the Social Security schemes of the West provide 
much liberal benefits than what they want under Islamic system.

There is divergence of opinion about the rates and methods of 
collection of Zakat and Usher and their uses.

Whereas countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia had adopted 
Interest free Banking several years ago, we have been talking 
about Islamic Banking for the last several decades without any 
appreciable progress. The concept of Islamic system appears to 
be more like Utopian philosophy inasmuch as its proponents 
regard alleviation of poverty by fair and equitable distribution 
of wealth as an objective of Islamic system! The research on 
Islamic Banking has been going on for years. But neither its 
parameters have properly been defined nor any concrete practical 
steps taken to evolve the standards, procedures, and to educate 
the people. Muslims go to London to learn so called Islamic 
Banking as they have formed an Institute there.

The fact remains that banking is banking - and economics is 
economics - whatever name you may give it according to the 
policies and practices adopted.

The Islamic Way

There are a number of commandments and prohibitions in 
Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet (saws) 
regarding various financial matters and the manner in which 
the business is to be conducted.  They relate to Zakat, 
bequests and inheritance, rights of widows and orphans, 
blood-money, trusts, compensation for work, virtues of charity, 
spending in the way of Allah for welfare or help of the poor 
and needy, slavery, trade, weights and measures, loans, 
trusts, contracts, prohibition for professional beggary, 
misrepresentation, profiteering and hoarding etc.  All these 
must be followed in developing state policies and practices 
and modifying the conventional banking and monetary and 
other practices.

There is so much talk about Interest Free system but we do not
know how to get out of the clutches of modern monetary system, 
which is outright usurious. A period of one to two years is more 
than sufficient but the bureaucratic mind set lacking courage 
and vision has been hindering the progress in this regard.
The Shariat Court had ruled to abolish Interest but on the 
Government's appeal through a bank the Supreme court has
stopped its implementation and ordered Shariat Bench to review 
all aspects. The existing monetary system facilitates robbing 
the citizens, wittingly or unwittingly, in a manner as 
described by Maynard Keynes (1883-1946), British economist.

"By a continuing process of inflation governments can 
confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important 
part of the wealth of their citizens."

In the 7th century AD at the time of dawn of Islam, money 
consisted of metallic coins and gold and silver bars. That was 
the kind of money whose purchasing power was not only stable but 
also tended to appreciate, like the worth of land or gold. It 
was and still is the simplest and straightforward method of 
fulfilling the promise of the Rulers who issue coins and currency 
to give you the real worth of the money - not less than what you
acquired when you took that money in your custody. In this respect 
our Governments have been guilty of breach of the trust, as it is 
incumbent upon the rulers, according to Islamic precepts to 
protect the interests of his people. 

There is need for evolving standard by Ijtehad for linking of 
currency to gold or some other commodity and printing of notes 
according to the reserves needed for stability of the currency.

There is a fallacy prevailing among our people that merely by 
abandoning the interest as charged in the modern banking and 
financial institutions we can find solution to our economic 
problems. We have been spending more Foreign Exchange than
that we earn. Our Government has been spending more money 
than it collects in taxes etc. and prints paper currency
callously. Our real problem is chronic inflation. And its 
root cause has not been addressed properly. A good monetary 
system would not by itself solve our economic problems. But 
the existing monetary system makes us the sitting target for 
exploitation.

If we want to achieve prosperity, we must modify the monetary 
system. We must also pay taxes, catch the thieves who steal 
power and other resources, nab the corrupt workers and 
bureaucrats, dishonest businessman and increase gross domestic 
output, export more than we import and adopt the Islamic virtues 
of honesty, hard work, fair and equitable dealing in all walks 
of life and educate the masses, build more schools, colleges, 
hospitals and factories, improve efficiency and productivity, 
earn living by honest means, make the Rizq Halal by honest days 
work, and keep on improving our knowledge and skills.

Although we have laws, we have high ideals, values and 
traditions, we have forgotten them. Our leader have been 
making mockery of the democracy and their black deeds 
have brought disrepute and economic misery and shattered 
the confidence of the people in democracy. Adoption of 
Islamic values in all walks of life would be akin to 
ethical values universally accepted and that 'd gurantee 
the success of democracy in our country. And our dream
for making Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a modern, 
progressive and peace loving welfare state would be realized. 

Shah N. Khan

Click here for Part 1 of this article
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By referring  to the following verses of Holy Quran and the commentaries of qualified scholars, we can get better insight on this subject. 

Justice and Judgement, 4:58, 5:8, 6:151-152, 37:53, 40:78, 
45:21, 50:29, 51:6, 60:10, 69:18, 76:24, 82:9, 95:8 
be just, 5:8, 5:42 
don't let hate lead judgement astray, 5:8 

Killing, 18:74, 18:80 
another believer inconceivable unless by mistake, 4:92, 48:25 
reparations for, 4:92 
deliberate killing of believer and punishment, 4:93 
don't, 6:151, 17:33, 25:68 
don't harm those offering peace, 4:90 
verify reports and rumors, 49:6, 49:12 

oppression more awesome than, 2:191, 2:217 
punishment for murder and spreading corruption on Earth, 5:32 
retribution, 2:178, 17:33 

Knowledge - literacy, 96:1-5 
study nature to aquire, 3:190, 6:99, 10:5-6, 13:3-4, 16:10-16 
travel to learn, 29:20 
Kufr (denial of the truth), 2:108, 3:52, 3:80, 3:167, 3:177, 5:41, 
5:61, 9:12, 9:17, 9:23, 9:37, 9:74, 16:106, 49:7 

Government 
Decision making in public matters, 3:159 
rulers make decisions after consultations, 42:38 

Usury, 30:39  delay repayment (forgiving debt is better), 2:278 
forbidden, 2:275, 3:130 
forgive debt, 2:278 
Jews took it even though forbidden to, 4:161 

Bribery, corruption 2: 188, 4: 29, 4: 2 � 6 � 10 -  161, 5: 65
Hoarding and profiteering 9: 3470: 18 � 21, 92: 11, 100: 8. 102: 
1-8, 104: 1-4
Measure and weighing 6: 153, 17: 35, 55: 8 - 9, 57: 25, 83: 1- 3
Breach of Trust

Sovereignty.  3: 26, 43: 85, 57: 2, 6: 57, 62: 12, 12: 40, 18: 26, 
17: 11`
Vicegerent  - Caliph 2: 30, 17: 70, 3: 33, 19: 58
Kingdom 3: 26, 4: 54, 5: 22, 2: 247, 38: 17, 38: 20 � 26, 
21: 78 �79, 27: 15 � 16, 38: 30 � 40
Qualifications for governing: 49: 13, 24: 55, 22: 41, 4: 58, 
42: 38, 

Jihad (fighting, striving, struggling, endeavoring) 
non-believing parents trying to persuade a believer 
to polytheism, 29:8, 31:15 
striving hard against disbelievers, 9:73, 25:52, 66:9 
striving hard in Allah's cause, 2:218, 3:142, 
4:95, 5:35, 5:54, 8:72, 8:74-75, 9:16, 9:19-20, 9:24, 9:44, 9:86,
9:88, 22:78, 29:6, 29:69, 49:15, 60:1, 61:11 

This list is by no mean complete.