Fatwa #68314 October 2002United States of America
How is a Islamic government supposed to be? I mean how do you elect the ruler, is he elected for life, etc, etc; how does it run?
Question
Is Islamic government from any of the present-day governments or are they all wrong? I mean is it supposed to be present-day democracy, parliamentary, communist, dictatorship, etc? Also how is the economy supposed to be e.g. capitalist, socialist, communist etc, etc? Please explain because I am taking a government class in school and we are studying different types of governments and economies.
Answer
In principle, according to Shari?ah there are 3 ways of electing a ruler:
Bay?at: Taking allegiance to a particular person, like the companions took allegiance to Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu).
Deputism: A current ruler consults his council and stipulates a ruler after his demise.
Consultation: Ruler appoints certain responsible citizens and hands over the autonomy of appointing a ruler after his demise. (Rafun Niqaab vol.6 pg.145; HM Saeed)
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Bay?at: Taking allegiance to a particular person, like the companions took allegiance to Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu).
Deputism: A current ruler consults his council and stipulates a ruler after his demise.
Consultation: Ruler appoints certain responsible citizens and hands over the autonomy of appointing a ruler after his demise. (Rafun Niqaab vol.6 pg.145; HM Saeed)
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai