Essay- Islamic Democracy

Islamic Democracy-The modern democratic state is a type of state which came into existence in 19th century largely as an effect of the French Revolution and the industrial Revolution of the absolute nation-state of 16th and the 17th century. But the Islamic state came into existence in the 7th century as an effect of the greatest Revolution of the world which was not only political and economic but also social and ethical.

Islam is a great religion and it has revolutionized every aspect of human life. So, Islamic democracy in its connotation in wider than western democracy. It means not only political equality but also social equality. In Islamic society all are equal. There is no class-divisions or distinctions of birth and social position. All members of the society enjoy equal status and position The only criterion of superiority in Islamic society is personal ability and character. Allah says: “O mankind! I created you out of a single pair of a male and a female. The most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you. So according to Islam no one is superior except which are most pious and righteous.

In Islam the concept of human brotherhood and equality is vital and basic. The lowest of the low must have the same rights as the highest of the high the president of the Republic. The first effective endeavour of Islam to establish social equilibrium is its emphasis on equality. The Holy Prophet said:” All men are equal in their human rights”.

Even-one has got its equal rights of progress in Islamic society: the restricted scope for personal achievement is the hall—mark of Islamic society. Islam not only emphasizes social equality, but also bans such attitude amid activities as arc likely to disturb social harmony. Democracy in capitalistic countries grants simply equal political rights. So through manipulation of the non-restricted freedom, the capitalists make masses their wage-slave. It results in mocker) and force. All the wetilth and resources under a capitalistic democracy are concentrated in the hands of a few capitalists. They through their mone turn the state into the servant of their interests as against the interests of the general masses. This dangerous possibility is not expected to occur in the Islamic state.

In capitalistic society, money determines one’s place in society. This is against the spirit of Islam. In a true Islamic society no man can lord over others merely on the strength of a swollen purse. Islam cut the very root of the possibility of economic exploitation by prohibiting vested interest, hoarding, profiteering, by imposing Zakat and by declaring that all that is in the heaven and the earth belongs to God alone.

Islam ensures social justice and economic security for all by a comprehensive system of check and balances on the sources of income, the means of living and the avenues of expenditure. It thus acts as a pressurize check on the capitalistic tendencies and evils. Islam also enunciates its scheme of economic freedom and security through its scheme of equitable distribution of wealth and resources. It declares the state ownership of all natural resources.

Right to private property is not doubt recognized by Islam, but it is hedged round by salutary checks. Islam imposes heavy social responsibilities on the rich. There is a warning for serious punishment in store for those who abuse their riches to the detriment of society. It has declared that all authority belongs to Allah alone but even man, being. His’ representative Khalifa, is entitled to exercise that authority. No nobility, no priest has any discriminating privileges. Thus political equality or ‘rule of law’ of capitalistic democracy is also fully secured in Islam.