عربي
Home


Articles

Articles

Representing the People in the Parliament is a Responsibility, the Vote is a Trust, and Buying the Voter`s Will is Forbidden according to Islamic Law
Author : The General Iftaa' Department
Date Added : 18-08-2024

Elections are a legitimate means of selecting representatives of the nation, oversee the government, and enact laws to serve the citizens and advance their interests. In this way, elections embody one of the mechanisms of the principle of consultation (Shura) established by Islamic law.

The responsibility of a candidate before Allah is a significant one. They should feel the weight of this responsibility and understand its importance, which will help them fulfill their duties with honesty and sincerity for the benefit of the nation and the community. Allah Says (what means): "Indeed, We offered the trust to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant." [Al-Ahzab/72].

Therefore, it is forbidden for a candidate to influence the voters' decisions by offering money, bribes, or any other form of inducement, whether under the guise of gifts, assistance, charity, or meals. Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah has cursed the one who pays the bribe and the one who accepts it." [Abu Dawood].

Casting a vote is also a significant responsibility that should be carried out with integrity and sincerity. Voters should be aware that they will be held accountable for this trust before Allah. Allah Says (What means): "Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned." [Az-Zukhruf/19].

To clear one's responsibility before Allah, the nation, and the country in the best possible manner, a voter must adhere to two key principles:

First: To choose the fittest and best candidate for the job. This requires selecting a candidate who is strong in knowledge and expertise and trustworthy regarding the interests of the country and its people. Allah Says (What means): "Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy" [Al-Qasas/28]. This is why the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) excused Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) when he asked for a position of authority, saying: "O Abu Dharr, you are weak, and it is an entrusted duty. On the Day of Resurrection, it will be a source of disgrace and regret, except for those who take it on with its rights and fulfill their obligations in it." [Moslim].

Second: The voter should cast their vote freely and according to what their religion and conscience dictate, without being influenced by gifts, bribes, or biases. Voting is a form of testimony, and it should not be subject to sale, bargaining, or flattery. Any money received in exchange for one's vote is unlawful and will be held accountable for before Allah. Allah Says (What means): "O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]" [An-Nisa`/29].

Since voting in parliamentary elections is a trust, a Muslim should uphold it and perform it correctly. It is also a testimony for which one will be held accountable before Allah. Allah Says (What means): "Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned" [Az-Zukhruf/19]. Therefore, it is forbidden for a voter to accept any money or gifts, in exchange for their vote or testimony, from any candidate. This is to protect the trust and prevent unsuitable individuals from reaching positions of power. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When trust is lost, then wait for the Hour." They asked, "How will trust be lost, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour" [Bukhari]. How can a candidate who engages in such practices be trusted with the nation's affairs and resources?

As for compelling people to swear an oath to vote for a specific candidate, this is not permissible in Islamic law, neither for the one swearing the oath nor for the one compelling them. Moreover, swearing oaths for this purpose is not sanctioned. Allah says {what means}: 'Do not make Allah’s name an excuse for your oaths to prevent you from being righteous, fearing Allah, and making peace among people. And Allah is Knowing and Wise' [Al-Baqarah, 224].

In addition, if someone swears an oath to vote for a person who does not have the required qualifications for the role, they should not adhere to that oath because it is both a mistake and a sin. Instead, they should make expiation for their oath and vote for the one who is more suitable for both their religion and worldly affairs. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever swears an oath and then sees something better, let him go with what is better and make expiation for his oath" [Moslim].

In conclusion, participating in elections and voting is permissible, and it should be accompanied by raising awareness among people about the importance of electing those who safeguard the interests of the citizens and the country, and who protect the nation's resources. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Is it permissible for a guardian (Big brother) to unlawfully stop his sister from getting married?

If the guardian denies her right in getting married for an unlawful reason, she should go to court in order to settle that matter, and the guardian is considered sinful in this case.

Is it permissible for a praying person to make supplication in each Sajdah (a prostration) of obligatory prayer?

It is permissible for a praying person, whether praying individually, or in congregation, to make supplication during Sujood (prostration) in obligatory, or voluntary prayers. However, it is disliked for the Imam to do so since he is required to spare the prayer performers any sort of hardship, unless he is leading a certain group who don`t mind him extending the prayer.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law regarding one who purchases a sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyah) and it then develops a defect before slaughter?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a defect that invalidates the sacrifice (uḍḥiyah) arises after its purchase — for example, if one purchased a sound, defect-free animal, and it then developed a limp, blindness in one eye, or a similar defect before slaughter — it does not fulfill the requirement of a valid uḍḥiyah, according to the Shāfi'ī school.
It is stated in Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib (Vol.1/P.535): "Even if the limp develops [in the animal] while the knife is upon it, it still does not fulfill the requirement, because it is lame at the moment of slaughter — this is analogous to a case where a sheep's leg breaks and one hastens to slaughter it [in that condition]."
The Ḥanbalī school, however, held that if the one offering the sacrifice purchased the animal while it was sound and defect-free, and a defect then befell it afterward, the sacrifice remains valid and there is no obligation to replace it.
It is stated in Masā'il al-Imām Aḥmad, one of the Ḥanbalī reference works (Vol.8/P.4021): "I said: If a person purchases the sacrificial animal while it is sound, and it is then afflicted with illness, blindness in one eye, or a broken limb [before slaughter]? He [Imam Aḥmad] said: It is said that it still fulfills the requirement. Isḥāq said likewise, because he purchased it while sound, and the defect befell it only afterward, so it remains sufficient on his behalf." [End of quote]
Accordingly, a sheep afflicted with a defect that invalidates the sacrifice does not fulfill the requirement of a valid uḍḥiyah — whether the defect arose after purchase or during the slaughter itself — according to the Shāfi'ī school. However, there is no objection to following the Ḥanbalī position on this matter [as a valid alternative]. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

See More