Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 220
220 islam’s response to contemporary issues No Outright Condemnation of Any Political System We begin with the observation that no political system is mentioned in Islam as the only valid system against all others. There is no doubt the Holy Quran speaks of a democratic system where the rulers can be elected by the people, but it is not the only system recommended by Islam. Nor can it be the fundamental prerogative of a universal religion to choose a single system of government without due regard to the fact that it is not practically possible for a single system to be applicable to all regions and societies of the world. Democracy has not developed enough even in the most advanced nations of the world to reach the stage of polity which is the ultimate political vision of democracy. With the rise of capitalism and the building of extremely powerful machinery in capitalist countries, truly democratic elections cannot be held anywhere. Add to this the growing problem of corruption, and the coming into being of the Mafia and other pressure groups. One can safely conclude that democracy is not in safe hands even in the most democratic countries of the world. Then, how can it be suitable in the Third World? So, to say that Western democracy can prevail in African, Asian or South American countries or the so-called Islamic countries of the world would be tantamount to making a hollow and unrealistic claim. As far as I am concerned, Islamic teachings do not reject any political system of the world, but Islam leaves it to the choice of the people and historically established traditions prevailing in any country. What Islam emphasises is not the form of government but how the government should discharge itself.