Fataawa of the Senior Scholars on the CORRECT position with regard to ELECTIONS

[أبو إبراهيم عبد الله الهندي]

Al Allaamah Shaikh Saleh Al Fawzaan (hafidhahullah) said:

As for elections which are found in (different) countries in recent times, then it is not from the way of Islaam. In it (is found) chaos, the following of ones own desires, racing towards the recognition of others and greed. It is the cause of fitnah, bloodshed and the purpose behind it is not fulifilled. Rather it has become a place of auctioning, buying and selling and false advertising.

From the book; Statements of the scholars regarding elections, Pg.56


Al Allaamah Shaykh Rabee (hafidhahullah) said with regard to elections and voting:

How many violations of the religion are commited by way of elections like showing alliances with atheist parties, communist and innovated parties and (also) what it necessitates in terms of demolishing the principle of allegiance and opposition (for the sake of Allah)? How much money is spent (on elections) and stolen from the Muslims in the the name of Islam? And the Muslims spend it bribing those who will vote for them by lying and falling into sin. How much money is wasted, lives lost, blood shed and ethics lost? All of this and other than this is ignored by Abul Hassan as he puts it [these violations] to waste in the cause of ikhwaan al-muslimoon [the deviated sect that spends the majority of their time in politics].

See his refutation against Abu al Hasan regarding elections footnote No. 16 and for the Arabic source of it refer back to www.aloloom.net


It was reported from Shaikh Saleem Al Hilaali (hafidhahullah) when he was asked on the ruling of elections:

Our opinion regarding elections and candidacy is an opinion that we have explained previously. It is NOT permissible and we distributed that in our magazine Asaalah. And a message came to Shaikh Albaani from Shaikh Muqbil (with regard to it) whereby after it, some of the scholars of Yemen and Shaikh Albaani signed (a paper stating) that it is not permissible to participate in them and that it is absolutely NOT permissible to have anything to do with (elections). For indeed it is from the paths of Shaytaan and from the ways of inventing false statements.

From the tape: Questions from the Yemeni students to the stuents of Shaikh Albaani
Also refer to the book: Salafi answers with regard to questions about dawah


The following questions were asked to our Shaikh Al Allaamah Yahya ibn Ali Al Hajooree (hafidhahullah) regarding the issue of elections:

Question: We hear in our land that a law has been passed (ordering the people) not to delve into the issue of elections and not to explain it to the people. What is your advice to us (regarding this)?

Answer: Forbidding the evil is obligatory. It is obligatory to repent from whatever law that is in opposition (to that which is correct). And elections are as impermissible as other major sins that are obligatory (for us) to forbid. And it is not permissible for us to be silent about them to the best of our ability because of what is there in elections from blind following of the disbelievers, splitting of the muslims, igniting enmity and hatred between them and other than this like (causing) harm to ones religion and worldly life. The messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said, "Whosoever amongst you sees an evil, then let him change it with his hand; if ha cannot then with his tong and if he cannot (do even that) then with his heart and that is the weakest of eeman [faith]" - reported by Muslim from the hadeeth of Abi Sa'eed Al-Khudari

And the means used for elections are prohibited (as well). Whether (a person) gives them [the people who promote elections] a ride on his car or helps them get a voter's card and registration or other than that - whatever leads to prohibited actions is prohibited (as well). And having said this, there is no problem is forbidding these evils to the best of ones ability by advising the rulers, may Allah grant them success. People should be encouraged to forbid it because the spreading of evil ruins peoples' lives, and ruins their religion and their worldly matters. No one who is upright, has common sense and loves goodness for himself and the muslims would be pleased with it [elections]. And with Allah lies all success.

From the tape: Questions from Inner Hadramout - the city of Tareem


Question: What is the ruling on one who promotes election campaigns, then proclaims repentance and then returns to it?

Answer: It is obligatory to be warned about and warn from elections because:

It is a blind imitation of the disbelievers
It is from the disbeliever's system of democracy
It causes division between the muslims
It compromises certain matters of the religion

And it has perils which is obligatory for the one knowing its condition to be wary of it and warn against it.

And Allah says: {And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.)}. (Al-Hujurat 49:11)

From the tape: Questions from the people of Radfan dated 9 Rajab, 1422H


Question: What is the ruling on women going out and getting voter cards with the knowledge that some of the campaigner's assistants come to houses. They ask the women to apply for a voter's card and if any one from Ahlus Sunnah was to forbid them they say :"This is not against you because there is no free mixing involved here as women approach women to give the cards to women. There is no free mixing." And with the likes of this they cast doubts upon the people. What is your advice - may Allah protect you?

Answer: Democracy came to the muslims with trials and from these trials are elections. And it (elections) are not permissible neither for a man nor a woman nor; neither for a Jinn nor a human. And it has perils and evils that none know except Allah. And Ahlus Sunnah have exhausted themselves in warning against this trial acting upon the statement of Allah: {so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who were to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear evidence. And surely, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower}. (Al-Anfal 8:42)

and His statement: {And ask them about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them for they used to rebel. And when a community among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom Allâh is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?" (The preachers) said: "In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allâh), and perhaps they may fear Allâh." So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil.} (Al-A'raf 7:163-165)

And some of the needy people from amongst the men and women get deluded by (a small) amount of money. Or they get deceived that if they dont elect then they will not have a position amongst the people [in the community]. And this is a lie. For the Prophet (sal Allahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said, "If you rely upon Allah with a true reliance, he would give you sustenance like he gives the birds sustenance. They leave in the morning empty stomached and return at night full". And he would honour you with a great amount of goodness. Allah says: {And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him.} (At-Talaq 65:2-3)

And he says: {And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth} (Al-Araf:96)

And the most elevated One says: {And if only the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) had believed and warded off evil (sin, ascribing partners to Allâh) and had become Al*Muttaqûn (the pious) We would indeed have blotted out their sins and admitted them to Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise). And if only they had acted according to the Taurât (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur'ân), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet.} (Al-Ma'idah 5:65-66)

And the Exalted one says: {but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith);} (An-Nisa 4:66)

So O you Muslims! (This is) a beneficial, valuable advice. Accept it before you feel remorse (at a time when) remorse will not benefit you whether in this world or the next. As Allah says: {Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world."} (An-Nisa 4:77)

Elections are prohibited. It is blind following of the disbelievers and from the branches of democracy. And democracy is prohibited. It is the ruling of the people by themselves without a Book or a Sunnah. And democracy is disbelief. And partisanship (hizbiyyah) is prohibited except for the party of Allah, glorified and exalted is He.

From the tape: Questions from Ibb, As-Sayyani district, Wadi Khair village and those around it - recorded on 8th Dhul Hijjah, 1423H