True Right of Government Rests with the Majority and Reaches Individuals Through Democracy

Islām fundamentally teaches that with the exception of Prophets and Messengers, who receive the right to rule through the eternal right of rule which belongs to God, all people possess an equal right to rule. In other words, rule actually belongs to the majority and in this right, no one person possesses more of a prerogative than another individual. However, in order to lead a system of government, since a consolidated administration is necessary and the final management of government must also rest in the hands of a head of state or president, Islām teaches that with mutual consultation, people should appoint any individual who they believe to be most capable to rule as their Amīr. As such, God the Exalted states in the Holy Qur’ān:

“O Ye People! Allāh the Exalted orders you to hand over the trust of sovereignty to those who are capable. Then, those who are elected as rulers have been commanded by Allāh the Exalted to rule with equity and justice.”1

In this fundamental verse the right of authority has been alluded to by the word ‘Amānat’ [i.e., Trust]. The purpose of this is to make an indication towards the fact that the right of government actually belongs to everyone equally and specific people receive it by the majority as a trust. Hence, anyone who receives an opportunity to govern should understand that this is a trust, which has been endowed upon him by the people. It is mentioned in a Ḥadīth that on one occasion, a Companion by the name of Abū Dharr(ra) requested the Holy Prophet(sa) to appoint him as the Amīr of a region. The Holy Prophet(sa) responded:

“O Abū Dharr! You are a weak individual and rulership is a trust. On the day of resurrection rulership shall be the cause of humiliation and disgrace, except for such a person who completely fulfils its rights.”2

In this Ḥadīth the word Amānat [i.e., Trust] has been used to describe government. In other words, the right to rule belongs to the majority alone and a specific person only receives it as a trust from the majority.

Since sovereignty is a trust, especially in the case of a Head of State, and even in the appointment of other subordinate leaders, Islām teaches that no such person should be elected into government, who desires a position for himself. The Holy Prophet(sa) states:

“By God, we shall never give any position in government to such a person who demands it or desires it for himself.”3