Is it permissible to form a political party and enter elections against the misguided sects?
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The questioner : The Qadiyyah and the Barelvi, is it permissible for them to form a party against the misguided sects?
The Shaykh : Political party affiliation is forbidden in Islam.
The questioner : It is forbidden in Islam, but there are the misguided sects.
The Shaykh : However, gathering and uniting without forming a political party, such that we do not accept other Muslims with us based on the Book and the Sunnah and the methodology of the pious predecessors, this is necessary. But it is not party affiliation, group against group, and they are all within the circle of Islam; this is not permissible. For Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:[Ar-Rum 30:31-32] —Look at the adhan, you have this book, look at the hadiths in it regarding the Prophet’s teaching of Abu Mahdhura or others— Did you understand?
The questioner : I understood, yes.
The Shaykh : That is it.
The questioner : Now, in Pakistan, they enter the parliaments through the democratic path. Is that permissible for them?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, unless the parliament declares that it will rule by the Shari'ah of Islam in all its details. Otherwise, entering such a parliament is not permissible. This is first. Second: the elections held today in some Islamic countries, and recently this happened in Oman, this is contrary to Islam. Because in the election, all men participate, and even women participate. So what is the benefit of this election when it includes the righteous and the wicked, the ignorant and the open sinner, and so on?
The Shaykh : Political party affiliation is forbidden in Islam.
The questioner : It is forbidden in Islam, but there are the misguided sects.
The Shaykh : However, gathering and uniting without forming a political party, such that we do not accept other Muslims with us based on the Book and the Sunnah and the methodology of the pious predecessors, this is necessary. But it is not party affiliation, group against group, and they are all within the circle of Islam; this is not permissible. For Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:
and do not be of those who associate others with Allah (32) [Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.
ولا تكونوا من المشركين مِنَ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَThe questioner : I understood, yes.
The Shaykh : That is it.
The questioner : Now, in Pakistan, they enter the parliaments through the democratic path. Is that permissible for them?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, unless the parliament declares that it will rule by the Shari'ah of Islam in all its details. Otherwise, entering such a parliament is not permissible. This is first. Second: the elections held today in some Islamic countries, and recently this happened in Oman, this is contrary to Islam. Because in the election, all men participate, and even women participate. So what is the benefit of this election when it includes the righteous and the wicked, the ignorant and the open sinner, and so on?