There is more we can do than just vote

For some the only way for ‘change’ is to vote in the upcoming general elections. They have co-opted various imams to issue various fatwa’s on the obligatory nature to ‘get out and vote’.

They have similarly argued that voting will help ‘save lives’ in places like Palestine and will stave off the rise of Islamophobia expressed by the BNP.

Another Approach.

Others argue that the Muslim community should seek a different approach to achieve it’s interests. Rather than following the same old divisive politics that has plagued British society with scandals, Muslims should become unified in developing their own independent institutions as a way to protect their belief and values as well as being a springboard for effective interaction with the wider society.

This, it is believed, will help bypass the problems of a divisive political system that inevitably leads to dividing the Muslims into a labour Muslim, liberal democrat Muslim or conservative Muslim.

It is argued that such a path would not only lead to a fractious community but it would also strip away the essential identity of the community into representatives of secular parties of various colours.

Obligation to Vote?

Despite the growing voter apathy in British Politics and disillusionment with Politicians from the general public, we have a few Islamic Scholars who argue that Islam permits and in fact commands us to vote (making it obligatory to vote and sinful if you don’t).

They say that although it is an evil to vote for a secular party it is a greater evil not to vote and thereby potentially get a worse candidate or government.

Incorrectness of arguments.

However, such Islamic principles can only be strictly applied in very special circumstances. One such condition is that it must be related to life and death matters like in the situation where one will starve to death unless one eats pork.

In such dire circumstances eating of pork becomes permissible.

No one can argue that if we do not vote that we will face certain death. Similarly the benefit of the action is unclear, will we really see any change by voting for political parties whose fundamental values do not differ and whose policies are in conformity to big businesses? Therefore, without the surety of any real change the principle of lesser of two evils cannot be applied in this circumstance.

A second argument raised is that Prophet Yusuf (as) ruled within a non Islamic political system.

They use this as a justification to participate and support non Islamic political parties. However the explanation given of Yusuf (as) does not accord with the explanation given by well known scholars of exegesis. Imam at-Tabari stated that Yusuf (as) was given authority “to do whatever he wants therein” (at Tabari v16, 151-2) therefore, he was the political leader and not simply ruling under a non Islamic system.

Furthermore, the principle of following the Shariah of previous prophets has only been followed by some scholars but with the provision that it has not been abrogated by the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Yet we have detailed explanation of how the prophet Muhammad (saw) set out a programme of how Muslims should interact within a non Islamic society.

Moreover, the Quran explicitly states that the only legislation we are commanded to follow and judge by is that sent to the prophet Muhammad (saw), “But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” [Quran 4:65] What is the way forward?.

As a Muslim community our strength comes from our belief and being unified upon that belief. Therefore, we need to ensure that our belief and values remain firm within our communities without being diluted.

Presenting our Community correctly.

We should be exemplifying through word and deed our belief to the wider non Muslim society, practically removing the stereotypes and myths that surround Islam.

This would inevitably remove ignorance and the irrational fear of Islam that the far right feed off which has been a direct result of policies and statements of mainstream political parties. Thus to vote them back in would only perpetuate the problem of Islamophobia and not remove it.

International Stances.

In the backdrop of all the mainstream parties’ endorsement of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and future targets like Syria, Somalia and Pakistan, we should be active in challenging these agendas, removing the moral justification for these policies with sound argumentation and active protest.

It was the strong public opinion that was created in South Africa against apartheid that resulted in the collapse of white minority rule.

Similarly it was Ghandi through peaceful demonstrations and removing the moral and intellectual justification for British rule in India that resulted in a change of British foreign policy.

Political and Economic Strength.

Coined terms like minorities cannot be used to describe a population of over 2 million Muslims. We are not living in 1960 but 2010, where Muslims have excelled in Education, practice, Business, set up their own independent Media bodies and Institutions and have developed their political voice challenging many domestic and international issues.

This would not be an option if we were tied to any of the Political parties who would expect the Muslim community to believe in their lies and deceits.

A Unique and Lasting Change.

So working outside of the political framework can and has achieved change ,the best of example is that of our prophet Muhammad (saw) who achieved a lasting change in the Arabian peninsula without the compromise of his (saw) belief and values and without having to work within the corrupt political system of his time.

Through interacting with the wider society based upon our belief and values we would not become ghettoised nor would we lose our identity as Muslims. Rather we would be able to show practically what our faith can offer particularly in the contemporary context of a society that some politicians call ‘broken Britain’.

So Politics is much more than casting a vote at the ballot box.

By Shareef Hafeez