What is the ruling on participating in elections to mitigate corruption?
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The questioner : In some countries, Muslims participate in elections alongside non-Muslims and share in governance with them. Are these people to be obeyed?
The Shaykh : Now, if we say they do not cooperate and do not enter the parliament, are they safe from their harm? No, they are not safe. So why...? Let us suppose the prince, who is the president, is a disbeliever, and the parliament contains both Muslims and disbelievers. If we say that Muslims here do not enter the parliament, are they safe from the harm of the disbelievers? They are not safe. Therefore, they should enter and cast their votes. Perhaps the parliament does not discuss creed or matters related to the essence of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but rather deals with political and economic matters. In that case, Muslims cast their votes.
The questioner : Our discussion was based on our statement that leaving is by speech. The parties attack each other, even if the second party is the president's party; they attack it and attack the president. This is the system of parties in countries that have parties. So leaving by speech is present, meaning everyone encourages their party and criticizes the other with all kinds of criticism. In this situation, the disbelievers, or the party led by disbelievers, bring forth things that do not align with Muslims, and they become rulers over regions where there are Muslims. Are they to be obeyed?
The Shaykh : Yes, they are to be obeyed except in disobedience to Allah.
The Shaykh : Now, if we say they do not cooperate and do not enter the parliament, are they safe from their harm? No, they are not safe. So why...? Let us suppose the prince, who is the president, is a disbeliever, and the parliament contains both Muslims and disbelievers. If we say that Muslims here do not enter the parliament, are they safe from the harm of the disbelievers? They are not safe. Therefore, they should enter and cast their votes. Perhaps the parliament does not discuss creed or matters related to the essence of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but rather deals with political and economic matters. In that case, Muslims cast their votes.
The questioner : Our discussion was based on our statement that leaving is by speech. The parties attack each other, even if the second party is the president's party; they attack it and attack the president. This is the system of parties in countries that have parties. So leaving by speech is present, meaning everyone encourages their party and criticizes the other with all kinds of criticism. In this situation, the disbelievers, or the party led by disbelievers, bring forth things that do not align with Muslims, and they become rulers over regions where there are Muslims. Are they to be obeyed?
The Shaykh : Yes, they are to be obeyed except in disobedience to Allah.