Election was over. This was took place on the 14th of May 2007. The issue is often reduced to the question: Is voting halal as far as Islam is concerned? As a Muslim, when it comes to voting, we must know the Shariah ruling related to it so that we can adopt and act upon it.

Unfortunately, some of us did not care what Islam said on this matter. We became too confused especially in matters related to laws of Islam governing political action. What we learn is the appearances or the forms rather than substances of religious teachings.

Webster dictionary defines the term vote as a formal expression of preference for a candidate for office for a proposed resolution of an issue. In other words, voting is a process in which voters give a mandate or power to a candidate to represent them in the resolution of a particular issue. According to Shayk Muhammad Ibn Adam Al-Kauthari, the process by itself is Halal. Classical Fiqh books are full of proofs that it is halal to vest somebody power and sovereignty as long as the action he is being deputized in is halal to begin with. In light of the above, he clearly stated that while voting in itself is halal, it becomes HARAM if it deputizes somebody to do a haram act. (e.g. ruling and judging by other than Allah’s (swt) laws).

On the other hand, the influential Pakistani thinker Maulana Maududi rejected the idea that the Ummah can ever be sovereign. H was categoric: the very idea of popular sovereignty was blasphemous. According to him, it was an usurpation of Allah’s (swt) will by human beings. So how then can we go out, vote and canvass for them? Will our candidates rule by Shariah or they will rule by man-made law and by their own desires?

It is beyond argument that the Constitution of the Philippines and the laws and systems emanating from it are not Islamic. The rulers have no other role except to implement these man-made laws. In no uncertain terms, Allah (swt) forbids that in Qur’an. Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Maidah:

“…And whosoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, such are the Thalimoun (oppressors, tyrants, and wrong doers) [5:44]
“…And whosoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, such are the kafiroun (disbelievers) [5:45]

“…And whosoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, such are the Fasiqoun (rebellious, disobedient) [5:47]

The verses condemn that those who rule with anything other than Allah (swt) has revealed regardless of their sincerity, piety, intentions or objectives.

Ruling and judging also comes under the jurisdictions of actions which should be performed for Allah’s (swt) sake alone as He has said:
“Verily, the absolute right of legislating is for none but Allah (swt)“ [12:40]

And Allah (swt) says:

“… Do they seek the Hukm (command, judgment, legislation) of jahiliyah) ignorance, disbelief) who is better than Allah in Hukm for a people who have an unshakeable belief” [5:50]

These verses make it clear that the matter of ruling and judging by other than what Allah (swt) has revealed is greater than simply one of disobedience in a single action.

In this light, do we as Muslims realize that we are committing haram act when we vote for a person whom we know will not rule by Islam? We should understand that when we vote for a certain candidate to a certain position, we are authorizing him to rule according to the State’s constitution, system and laws.

Do we realize that we are committing shirk when we vote for a person to legislate instead of Allah? The election of congressman or senator to a Senate or House of Representatives (on national level) is an authorization for him to carry out a specific well-defined purpose which includes legislation.

It should be well established that the only sources for extracting a rule regarding any issue are the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Opinions formulated on desire and benefit has absolutely no meaning or weight in Islam. What is the use of Shariah if we start using our minds to determine right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable, beneficial and harmful and leave the orders of Allah (swt) behind our backs?

In fact, the Ulama of the Deen of Islam, such as Abu Osama and Dr. Abu Ziyaad, have declared participating in such a process as Shirk Akbar (the greatest form of Shirk) that takes one outside the fold of Islam.

Despite the clarity of the message of Islam, we still find some of our brothers canvassing others to vote, in particular to certain individuals who apparently seem to have some care for the issues which are affecting the Muslims. Even some of our Ulamas (just too darn many to name) have fallen into this trap, willing or unwillingly, and are encouraging Muslims to vote for one dirty Kaafir or another to come into power, legislate (which is the right of Allah (swt) alone) by Kaafir and conduct treaties on the Muslim’s behalf.

When they were taught aspects of Shariah in Saudi Arabia, Syria or Egypt, they preached that “there is no politics in Islam”. However, when their own personal interests were at stake, suddenly there is politics in Islam, but not the type that Prophet Nabi (saw) preached, rather the type that the kuffar preach – that of freedom, democracy and secularism.

As Muslim, we must strengthen our own defenses against this kuffar onslaught by immersing ourselves in the vast Islamic culture, actively seeking out the Haqq (the truth) and not being satisfied to just imitate our so-called community leaders when they openly go against that which is known from Islam by necessity.