True Right of Government Rests with the Majority and Reaches Individuals Through Democracy — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding True Right of Government Rests with the Majority and Reaches Individuals Through Democracy.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government
Pages: Book pp. 536–537 (PDF pp. 560–561)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Islāmic System of Government] | Next: [Consultation is Necessary in Government] »
Historical Account
“O Abū Dharr! You are a weak individual and rulership is a trust. On the day of resurrection rulership shall be the cause of humiliation and disgrace, except for such a person who completely fulfils its rights.”
[Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Imārah, Bābu Karāhiyyatil-Imārati Bi-Ghairi Ḍurūratin, Ḥadīth No. 4719]
In this Ḥadīth the word Amānat [i.e., Trust] has been used to describe government. In other words, the right to rule belongs to the majority alone and a specific person only receives it as a trust from the majority.
Since sovereignty is a trust, especially in the case of a Head of State, and even in the appointment of other subordinate leaders, Islām teaches that no such person should be elected into government, who desires a position for himself. The Holy Prophetsa states:
ِاِنَّا وَاللّٰهِ لَا نُوَلِّیْ عَلیٰ ھٰذَا الْعَمَلِ اَحَ دًا سَ اٴَلَهٗ وَلَا اَحَ دًا حَ رَصَ عَلَیْه
“By God, we shall never give any position in government to such a person who demands it or desires it for himself.”
[Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Imārah, Bābun-Nahyi ‘An Ṭalabil-Imārati Wal-Ḥirṣi ‘Alaihā, Ḥadīth No. 4717]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Islāmic System of Government] | Next: [Consultation is Necessary in Government] »