One of the basic reasons for the turmoil in the Muslim world is lack of shoorayiat and democracy, so says the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in its analysis of the reasons for the upheavals in West Asia. Democracy, openness, and constructive criticism have been the hallmark of Islamic teachings. The Holy Qur’ān gives in detail the arguments of opponents of Tawheed and proponents of Shirk. Then it gives its own arguments for those who care to think. It never attempts to curb the voice of dissent. Do we require any other proof in favour of openness? The Holy Qur’ān invites non-believers for open discussions on basic matters of faith. It analyses, argues and exposes the weakness of the arguments of non-believers.
If you want to know the basic arguments against the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), the Qur’ān is the best source. The Qur’ān describes even the allegation that “the Qur’ān is not the word of God but certain people wrote it for the Prophet.”
Take another example: It was quite possible for the Prophet to appoint his successor before his death. If he had done that, nobody would have disagreed. But he preferred that the Muslims should make their choice freely. Can there be any greater argument for openness, shoora and democracy in Islam?
Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummah, in its long journey through history, lost sight of this basic feature of Islam.
We are still in the clutches of kings, dictators and tyrants who are dancing to the tunes of their western masters. The west and its so-called champions of democracy have never allowed flowering of any democratic government in West Asia. Their interest lies in perpetuating their hegemony. This is why they wholeheartedly support their protégé Israel in its illegal occupation, terror tactics and wars.
There was a faint ray of hope in the emergence of Dr. Morsi and his FJP that change in Egypt will usher in freedom and democracy in the Arab world. But alas the US moves, western apathy and the connivance of the kings and autocrats nipped it in the bud. The Arab Spring has been murdered and there is a long winter, cold and cruel. Wait and see when real Islamic democracy reappears on the horizon. Up to that time there will be a reign of conflict and strife as we watch in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Denial of freedom and democracy gives rise to phenomena like ISIS with its long list of atrocities. There is no other way except a genuine return to Islamic principles of freedom and justice.