Why We Should Not Vote In Corrupt System

Islam believes in democracy. It believes in honesty, transparency and integrity. And it stands for justice and equality. As it is commonly perceived and propagated by the general Muslim Ummah, Islam has not condemned the practice of voting. Islam has however, outrightly discarded the deceptive form of democracy which is based on dishonesty, corruption, fraud and injustice. This is being practiced throughout most of the Muslim world, and particularly in Pakistan. This article will articulate the reasons for which voting has become impermissible in countries such as Pakistan, where a system that has merged with corruption has rendered its citizens incapable of voting for those who stand for fairness. Due to a vast interest in politics, without the knowledge of voting for s system that is free of the taints of unscrupulousness. The community question, How can voting in an election be labelled a sin? When voting is practiced under a system that is holistically based on selfishness and greed. The outcome of such fraudulence will only amount to sin. In Islam vote is considered as a trust (Amanah), which has to be entrusted to those who are worthy. If this trust is delegated to those who are unworthy then we will be held accountable for betraying the trust according to the following verses of the Quran where Almighty Allah Says: Surely, Allah commands you to entrust the belongings to those who are worthy of them; and when you judge matters amongst people, give judgment with justice. What an excellent advice Allah gives you! Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. 1 O believers! Do not betray the trust of Allah and His Messenger ([blessings and peace be upon him] in paying them what is their due), nor betray your mutual trusts, whilst you know (the whole truth) 2 According to the principles of Tafsr, although the Qurnic verse [4:58] was revealed in a particular background, the general rule of its application must be taken universally and not restricted to that particular scenario. According to the Qurn, we are addressed to entrust those who have the rightful position to be trusted. It informs that each individual is duty bound to see that trust obligations are faithfully fulfilled and that the rightful beneficiary have in their hands what is due to them. There are several levels of trusts and obligations. This editorial deal with the trust that is given to those in authority, such as he Government and its officials who have been made trustees (Ameen) over the affairs of the nation.
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Al-Quran, Surah al-Nisa, 4:58 Al-Quran, Surah al-Anfaal, 8:27

The first element of the verse [4:58] is an instruction to fulfil the duty of assigning the trust to those who are worthy, while equity and justice have been spoken of in the latter part of the verse. There is great Divine wisdom is giving precedence to trust over equity and justice. From my deficient understanding, it may be because the establishment of a system (Political) that guarantees equity and justice all over the country is not just possible without it. Hence, equity and justice will only prevail in a society where the political office bearers are honest, competent, corruption free and discharge their duties faithfully. In matters pertaining to appointing office bearers it should not be based on friendship, connections, recommendations or bribes and this practice is the norm in Pakistan, hence corruption prevails. When corruption encompasses the whole society it will become a very difficult task to get rid of it, but it is not impossible. Some Golden Principles of Governance have been mentioned in this verse (4:58) of the Holy Quran which are as follows: The verse begins with Surely, Allah commands you.... Through this Almighty Allah informs that ultimate sovereignty lies with Almighty Allah, all the rulers are vicegerents of Almighty Allah. The government offices are not the rights of the people, but rather a trust that has to be entrusted to those who meet the criteria set by the Quran and Hadith, The vicegerents have to keep in mind the principles laid down by Almighty Allah which have been given in the form of the Quran and Hadith when formulating the laws of the land. It is an incumbent duty upon those in authority to give judgement based upon equity and justice without making any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion and ethnicity.

Take Pakistan as an example, corruption, fraud, might, bribery, injustice, terrorism, exploitation and dishonesty are rampant throughout the political system. How can one know these realities , yet still expect honesty, competency, justice, peace, love and harmony to prevail? It is absolutely evident, the amount of corruption that the world is witnessing on the accounts of Pakistan. Voting in such a system is beyond the concept of the question. Emphasising the importance of entrusting the trust to those who are worthy, the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon Him) said: One who does not fulfil trust obligations has no faith, and one who does not stand by his word has no Din 3 How can one fail to see the mistrust and the breaking of vows that a nation has been constantly deceived by. Even worse, how can a nation retreat back to the lions den, when they have previously been betrayed?
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Baiyhaqi, Shuab al-Iman, Hadith No. 4354

The nation of Pakistan must come to terms with its true enemy - the corrupt political system and reject its entirety in all forms and manifestations in order to live prosperously in a flourishing Pakistan where justice and love outweighed the evils of injustice. We must live to see the country excel in employment and health, through the empowerment of honest notables' who truly care for the nation. This can only be achieved if the people reject to participate in this exploitative system through not voting, because anyone taking part in this system will be considered as co-conspirators. Almighty Allah commands us and Says: And always support one another in (the works of) righteousness and piety, but do not become accomplices in (works of) sin and transgression. And fear Allah persistently. Indeed, Allah awards severe punishment (to those who disobey and defy) 4 The above verse instructs us to assist one another in good and pious acts and to avoid becoming collaborators of those who perpetrate felonies and transgressions. Reflect for a moment and question your conscience. By voting , are we not becoming accomplices in this heinous act? Are we not intentionally rejecting the commandments of Almighty Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon Him)? As a result of negligence of verses of such themes and disobedience to Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon Him) the whole Muslim Ummah finds itself going through trials and tribulations. In the Quran Almighty Allah warns us of this reality when He Says: So let those who go against the Messengers command (of veneration and devotion) feel afraid lest some trial should overtake them (here in the world) or a painful torment seize them in the Hereafter 5 What has this corrupt system given to the nation apart from, terrorism, unemployment, injustice and corruption at each level. The time has come to vehemently reject this system and bring a system where corruption can be undermined. We have to turn to the teachings of the Quran and Prophetic Hadith to revive the Muslim Ummah through educating them and raising awareness about the current political system of Pakistan. If we fulfil this duty then we will, inshaAllh, be absolved from the wrath of Almighty Allah. Further elaborating on the same concept Almighty Allah Says: Whoever makes a righteous intercession has a (fixed) share (in its reward), and he who makes an evil intercession has a (fixed) share (in its sin) 6 A vote is a form of recommendation (Shafah) and through their vote, a person is approving the candidate of his choice to be the elected representative. Therefore, it signifies that anyone who makes a good and justified recommendation, will be rewarded for the
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Al-Quran, Surah al-Maidah, 5:2 Al-Quran, Surah al-Nur, 24:63 6 Al-Quran, Surah al-Nisa, 4:85

recommendation and get a share of the good acts performed by the one he recommended. However, if a person who makes an evil recommendation , then, he shall also get a share from the evil deeds of the person he recommended. Hence, a candidate that is voted into office through this corrupt system of Pakistan, will do many wrongs and impermissible acts and as a result, the curse of his evil doings will also fall upon the voter. This is the reason why, in Islam, the greater post a person is on, the greater the accountability he will have to undergo. This is the philosophy of the slogan Vote4None, because being a part of the Pakistan Nation, we do not want to become participants of this so called Democracy Drama taking place in Pakistan. Commenting on the verse of Surah al-Maidah Maulana Mohammad Shafi (Usmani) says in his Tafsir (Maarif-ul-Quran (5:8) that voting can be a false evidence. In that case the evil fruits of your voting will be recorded in your deeds! To recapitulate our vote has three-pronged status: Shahadah (evidence), Shafaah (recommendation), Wakalah (advocacy or reputation in common rights). Under all three conditions, voting for good and deserving person brings great reward the fruits of which are bound to reach the voter. Similarly, voting for someone undeserving and uncouth is false evidence, unjustified recommendation and impermissible advocacy all in one, so, the evil fruits of his thoughtless voting shall stand recorded in the voters log of deed. Therefore, it is the duty of every Muslim, man and woman, that he or she must fully investigate into the background of the candidate being voted for good before the vote is cast. Let them make sure that the candidate is deserving, capable and honest and not otherwise. Negligence, apathy and heedlessness are poor reasons to go about committing such grave crimes. If done for no reason, it is absurdity at its worst. The same notion can be further elaborated in the light of the Hadith of Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon Him) said: He who guided another person to a good deed will receive a reward like the one by the one who performed the act 7 The above Hadith makes it clear that guiding a person towards a good act will result in the person being equally rewarded for the one who performs it. However, the counteractive meaning of the Hadith is relatively patent that anyone who guides towards evil will also receive the burden of the sin. Hence, it is of utmost important to understand the intent behind the Quranic verse as well as the sayings of Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon Him), so that we can avoid the pitfalls we encounter in our journey towards the truth. The turmoil and corruption you see in the system of Governance is the consequence of neglecting Qurnic and Prophetic teachings. People are given governance on the basis of recommendation, connections and bribes. Therefore, due to their incompetence they become a source of punishment for the people who elected them. Warning of such
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Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Chapter: 122, Hadith No.242

methodology Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon Him) has been reported to have said: If a person, who has been charged with some responsibility relating to the general body of Muslims, gives an office to someone on the basis of friendship or connection of some sort, without finding out the capability or the merit of the person concerned, the curse of Allah falls on him. Nothing is accepted from his act of worship which has been obligated to (fard) nor any of that which he offers voluntarily (nafl) 8 There are several Qurnic verses and Prophetic traditions that can be cited to support this claim of not voting in a system based on corruption and dishonesty. Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has fulfilled this duty of raising awareness against the fraudulent political system of Pakistan and through his struggle, he has exposed all those departments including those that were masked with the veil of justice. The struggle of Shaykh-ul-Islam in essence is a Prophetic struggle and those who are supporting this cause are engaged in a form of worship of Almighty Allah. Now is the time to come and join hands with this movement to uproot this system based on corruption and save our beloved country. Many question the notion that it is solely Shaykh ul Islam who is standing up against the corruption of this system, but the answer is simple: Shaykh-ul-Islam who is currently standing alone is raising his voice against tyranny while others are protecting the tyrannical system. According to Abu Darda (may Almighty Allah be pleased with him) Allahs Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) said: You will continue to benefit until you will acknowledge evil and avoid it, and the nation will continue to benefit (the door of goodness will not be closed) until a scholar from my Ummah will be telling the truth to the nation and will not fear anyone 9

Jamul Fawaid, Page 325 Uthman bin Said al-maqrai al-Dani in al-Sunan al-Waredah fil Fitan, vol. 3, pg. 744 #365