Ruling on Participating in Parliamentary Elections

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : ... May Allah bless you, my Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Naturally, the best course is to participate.

The questioner : The best course is to participate?

The Shaykh : ... Yes, indeed. This is, if I may say so, obligatory.

The questioner : Some of the young people said that the best course is not to participate, and they justified this by saying that it has become clear and evident to us that participating in parliamentary elections is of no benefit, and in some cases may even bring harm to the Muslims.

The Shaykh : This is based on an opinion other than the one we issue our rulings on. This is not permissible. This has become a fabrication within the limits we have mentioned. Did we support elections absolutely, or within their limits and conditions?

The questioner : Naturally, within limits and conditions.

The Shaykh : Now, does this group you are referring to disagree with us regarding the restrictions and conditions?

The questioner : They do not disagree with you.

The Shaykh : Then their answer is not correct, because the original issue is based on the conditions. However, when the conditions are not met, our view is more correct than their view.

The questioner : Yes... not participating at all.

The Shaykh : If it were.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : This is a departure from the detailed explanation.