The Shaykh’s (may Allah have mercy on him) opinion on entering parliaments.

The questioner : Shaykh, is it not possible that they argue against us by citing the words of those who say: ... the parliament ...

The Shaykh : I am not looking for the parliament, no, no, no, no, I am not looking for the parliament, my brother. May Allah reward you. You mean, as if your constant concern is investigating the results that follow from the premises, whereas I am exactly the opposite of you. I am not referring to the investigation of the parliament, and I will tell you in advance that our brother Abd al-Rahman’s call to young Muslims to enter the parliament is a trap for them, just as his predecessor did. This brother who is now in prison, what is his name?
The student : Ali Bilhaj.

The Shaykh : Ali Bilhaj. I say this is a very, very serious error. First, it will not bear fruit, and experience is the greatest proof, not to mention that it contradicts the methodology of the Messenger (peace be upon him), whom Allah addressed in the Qur'an: This is one of the issues where I wish to meet with my brother Abd al-Rahman, not to show him that you have accused your Muslim brother of something he did not do, but rather that such a declaration—that political work and entering the parliament, and that Islam cannot be advanced by remaining with purification and education—is a definite error in our view. We may be wrong, we may be right; all of this is possible because no one is infallible. But my aim from you now, and since you have been afflicted with me—do not be sorry, for I say I have been afflicted with you as well, so we are afflicted with one another—bear with me, there is no harm. I say the issue of the parliament is the effect, not the premise.