Is it true that the word democracy is synonymous with freedom?
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Al-Huwayni: Regarding the mention of democracy, I read a study by some who claim to be scholars in which they say there is no blame in using the word democracy because it is synonymous with freedom.
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah.
Al-Huwayni: That is, they say it is true that it is not found in the Islamic dictionary, but its meaning is freedom, so they expressed it in a way that is not the Islamic expression, but since the reality of what they intend is one, they see no harm in using the word democracy.
The Shaykh : If we were to hypothetically accept this, do you think the freedom of democracy is the freedom of the Shari'ah?
Al-Huwayni: No.
The Shaykh : No one says this. This democracy permits intoxicants, usury or interest, unlawful sexual intercourse, and all corruption; that is, in terms of law, it does not approach [what is right]. This is not from Islam, so we do not permit the use of this term, neither in word nor in meaning.
The questioner : The Islamists have something they call parties, and they act exactly like parties. What is the obstacle to including these and having them under one parliamentary dome, with freedom of opinion, expressing opinions, and deliberation, especially since the reality of Islamic groups today is that most of them act from a party perspective, and there is no difference between them and many secular, non-religious, communist, and other parties?
The Shaykh : Unfortunately, some Islamists give arguments to their opponents, like this speech. I mean, Islam does not approve of partisanship, yet they form parties. In this regard, they are like the others who have no religion and form parties: this one is a democrat, this one is a communist, this one is a socialist, and so on. If the Muslims follow this path, they have opened an argument for the opponents: "There is no independent legal reasoning in the presence of an explicit text." And where is the freedom? This is a statement that applies to Muslims, not to the disbelieving parties, or even the Muslim ones, even those who say freedom is absolute.
Al-Huwayni: So it is restricted?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah.
Al-Huwayni: That is, they say it is true that it is not found in the Islamic dictionary, but its meaning is freedom, so they expressed it in a way that is not the Islamic expression, but since the reality of what they intend is one, they see no harm in using the word democracy.
The Shaykh : If we were to hypothetically accept this, do you think the freedom of democracy is the freedom of the Shari'ah?
Al-Huwayni: No.
The Shaykh : No one says this. This democracy permits intoxicants, usury or interest, unlawful sexual intercourse, and all corruption; that is, in terms of law, it does not approach [what is right]. This is not from Islam, so we do not permit the use of this term, neither in word nor in meaning.
The questioner : The Islamists have something they call parties, and they act exactly like parties. What is the obstacle to including these and having them under one parliamentary dome, with freedom of opinion, expressing opinions, and deliberation, especially since the reality of Islamic groups today is that most of them act from a party perspective, and there is no difference between them and many secular, non-religious, communist, and other parties?
The Shaykh : Unfortunately, some Islamists give arguments to their opponents, like this speech. I mean, Islam does not approve of partisanship, yet they form parties. In this regard, they are like the others who have no religion and form parties: this one is a democrat, this one is a communist, this one is a socialist, and so on. If the Muslims follow this path, they have opened an argument for the opponents: "There is no independent legal reasoning in the presence of an explicit text." And where is the freedom? This is a statement that applies to Muslims, not to the disbelieving parties, or even the Muslim ones, even those who say freedom is absolute.
Al-Huwayni: So it is restricted?
The Shaykh: Yes.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.