Response (Debate) - UK Election 2010 - To Vote or Not to Vote

This is my response to Yusuf Patel’s response to my earlier article on voting in the UK. Yusuf Patel is a member of HT. His response is in red and mine is in blue.

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As the general election approaches in the UK, so does the debate on the issue of voting amongst the Muslim community, which primarily revolves around the question of - is it haram (unlawful under Islamic law) or halal (permitted) to vote? The opinion is largely divided into two opposing camps of, for and against voting. In Islamic law, different opinions (Ikhtilaf) can exist on a particular issue; this is inevitable when the textual evidences are not precise on the matter. Each faction will argue in favour of their adopted opinion as the strongest, and view other opinions as weak, rather than invalid.

Therefore, on this issue voting, do the opposing factions accept there is legitimate difference of opinion? The pro-voting camp in general tends to accept there is a legitimate difference of opinion, whereas the anti-voting factions do not, they consider the prohibition as categorical. Groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) are particularly vocal on promoting this viewpoint in the UK and in other Western countries where there is a significant Muslim population.

This seem strange given that HT has already stated their sole objective is to establish the Caliphate in the Muslim world; therefore, it is difficult to see the connection between voting in the UK election, and their sacred ‘method’ of bringing about change in the distant Muslim countries. Why meddle in the internal politics of UK, if the country is outside your radar?

(Yusuf) - This is because the aims of HTB are wider than directly calling for khilafah. The future support for Khilafah is premised on a community that lives by Islam in word and deed and sees her natural affinity to the Islamic ummah and her global struggle. Voting is seen as an impediment both in terms of compliance to the hulm shar’I as well as a means of effectively integrating the Muslim community and cutting her link to the global ummah and her struggle. If this is understood, any doubts about the contradiction between the two should be assuaged.

Let us leave aside the issue of Hukm Shar’I (Islamic Ruling) which is addressed later. You seem to imply that by voting in the UK election, the Muslims will not be able to support the Khilafah (when it comes into existence) – as it will turn them effectively into lesser Muslims (maybe even non-Muslims), as they will integrate (maybe you mean assimilate) and be removed from the rest of the Muslim world in this age of instant information. Do you seriously ‘think’ that? If I recall, similar forecast was made about marching with the non-Muslims against the Iraq war. I did not see the Muslims becoming members of communist/socialist party in droves. Your party members were desperately trying to give credence to their isolationist stance as the rest of the Muslim community held together and marched. So, eventually, all the HT activists also turned up to the march in large numbers, adding to the multi-cultural atmosphere! If I recall, some people thought HTB had organized the march.

Furthermore, you are making assumptions upon assumptions. Will the Khilafah come in our life time? Will the support of the UK Muslims be vital? If so, what can they deliver?

This sort of prediction also shows that you have little regard for the Muslim community; they are not that naive as you think. On the flip side, this reflects your arrogance. Trust me they do know the ‘reality’ as well.

UK Election 2010 - To Vote or Not to Vote

As the general election approaches in the UK, so does the debate on the issue of voting amongst the Muslim community, which primarily revolves around the question of - is it haram (unlawful under Islamic law) or halal (permitted) to vote? The opinion is largely divided into two opposing camps of, for and against voting. In Islamic law, different opinions (Ikhtilaf) can exist on a particular issue; this is inevitable when the textual evidences are not precise on the matter. Each faction will argue in favour of their adopted opinion as the strongest, and view other opinions as weak, rather than invalid. 

Therefore, on this issue voting, do the opposing factions accept there is legitimate difference of opinion? The pro-voting camp in general tends to accept there is a legitimate difference of opinion, whereas the anti-voting factions do not, they consider the prohibition as categorical. Groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) are particularly vocal on promoting this viewpoint in the UK and in other Western countries where there is a significant Muslim population.

New Book on Suicide Bombings

UK based writer and political commentator Yamin Zakaria has written a new book entitled Suicide Bombings - Jihad or Terrorism?

The book's promotional blurb reads:

"The primary aim of this book is designed to provoke thought on the subject which is obscured by the propaganda of conflict. It is divided into two parts. The first part analyses the various political arguments around the issue of suicide bombings, and examines corollary subject of terrorism and Jihad. In the second part, it examines the Islamic text with a view to establishing the legality of using suicide bombing as a weapon of conflict. It has been written in a manner that is aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims who are unfamiliar with the mechanism of deriving Islamic opinions. This section makes the book unique. Elaboration in this area has been lacking, the existing material is barely inadequate for Muslims let alone non-Muslims."