Is it permissible for a Muslim to run for a seat in parliament, or what is called the People's Council, which rules by other than what Allah has revealed?

The questioner : The Shaykh.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : You issued a fatwa in a magazine regarding the People's Council, stating that it is forbidden and that participating in it is not permissible. Then you issued a second fatwa stating that it is possible to do so to avert a greater harm, meaning that if an oppressor and a Muslim who is expected to bring good are both candidates, the Muslim should be elected. Is entering the council itself one of the acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

The Shaykh : You.

The questioner : I mean the man-made laws.

The Shaykh : Have you finished your question?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Do you feel that you have mixed Sha'ban with Ramadan? You did not feel it. We say that it is not permissible for a Muslim to run for a seat in a parliament that rules by other than what Allah has revealed.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : This is one issue.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : But there is another issue: Is it permissible for a Muslim to choose one of these candidates on the basis of choosing the lesser of two evils?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : We say it is permissible. This is one thing, and the first is another thing. It is not permissible to mix this with that.

The questioner : Yes, well, what if he swears an oath to the man-made constitution?

The Shaykh : There is no power or might except in Allah. I tell you it is not permissible. Even if he does not swear an oath, it is not permissible for him to be a member of parliament.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : What do you mean when you say that if he swears an oath, it will be misguidance upon misguidance?

The questioner : But if we elect him, O honorable Shaykh, if we elect him, we will still be participating in the same sin that he is committing!

The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. Did you understand the rule of choosing the lesser of two harms?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : No, I do not think you did.

The questioner : We are now...

The Shaykh : I do not think you did. What does it mean to avert the greater harm with the lesser one?

The questioner : It means that we elect this person to avert the harm that the oppressor might commit, which is the greater harm of the oppressor ruling over the Muslims.

The Shaykh : Well, so you leave it to others to choose the greater evil?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh : So what? So...