Democracy Will Never Allow the Comprehensive Implementation of Islam

News:

Clashes erupted between JI and PPP supporters outside the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) in Karachi on 15 June, after the polling for the city mayor’s election concluded. The Southern Deputy Inspector General (DGP), Irfan Ali Baloch, narrated that clashes broke out after reports of PPP’s Barrister Murtaza Wahab winning the polls surfaced.

Comment:

Local body elections for Karachi city were contested fiercely by the major political parties. The ruling party of Sindh, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was accused by opposition parties of vote rigging. No party could succeed in achieving a simple majority. The PPP emerged as the largest party, followed by the Jamat-i-Islami (JI) and Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI). The PPP and JI both required the support of PTI, to elect their candidate, as the Mayor of Karachi. Eventually PTI announced its support of the candidate of the JI. It was clear that this coalition now had a clear majority. However, on the day of the election of the mayor, more than half the members of the PTI failed to cast their vote. So the candidate of the PPP won the race.

This drama has not happened in Pakistan for the first time. Whoever enjoys the support of the real rulers, the military establishment, can secure the desired results. In the past, JI won the post of the mayor of Karachi during the era of General Musharraf. It happened because Musharraf required the support of Islamist parties. He needed to reduce pressure against him because of his support for the US “war on terror.” He ordered the MQM, the leading secular party of Karachi at that time, to boycott elections. So, JI succeeded. The lesson that needs to be learned is that no party can succeed without the help of the people of power. This is no matter how much popular support there is on streets or in ballots.

Another lesson is that participating in a democratic system does not strengthen the Islamic cause. It only benefits the continuity of the democratic system itself. Strengthening the democratic system undermines the struggle for the re-establishment of the ruling based on Islam, the Khilafah (Caliphate). Compromise with Islam is treated as a strategy under democratic struggle. Anyone who rejects compromise over Islam is considered impractical. However, the experience of Erdogan and Pakistan’s democratic Islamic parties, has made clear that comprehensive Islamic ruling cannot prevail in Democracy. Roads and sewerage lines may be built, but the supremacy of Shariah will never be achieved under Democracy.

Real change is only possible by following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saw). The Messenger of Allah (saw) did not participate in the kuffr system, despite being offered posts within it. He (saw) followed the way Allah (swt) ordered. He established a strong Dawah to Islam. He also sought Nussrah from the people of power for the establishment of Islam. When the people of power in Madinah, the Ansar, provided their Nussrah, the first Islamic state came into existence, without compromising a single command of Allah (swt.) So, it is upon all Muslims to adhere to this path, sincerely and patiently, without deviation, until Allah (swt) sends His Nasr.

Allah (swt) said,

{إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ} “Indeed the patient will be paid in full their reward without any reckoning.” [TMQ Surah Az-Zumar 39:10].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Engineer Shahzad Sheikh – Wilayah Pakistan