RESOLUTION OF THE ISLAMIC FIQH COUNCIL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE MUSLIM WORLD LEAGUE IN ITS 18TH AND 19TH SEMINAR HELD IN MAKKAH REGARDING MUSLIMS’ PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS WITH NON-MUSLIMS
The Fifth Resolution
Muslims’ Participation in Elections with Non-Muslims
Praise be to Allāh, and peace and blessings be upon the seal of all Prophets, our Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ and his Households and Companions.
The Council of the Islamic Fiqh Council in its 19th session held at the headquarters of the Muslim World League in Makkah Al-Mukarramah between 22 – 27 Shawwaal 1428 AH, which corresponds with 2 – 9 November 2007, has considered the topic of: “Muslims’ Participation in Elections with Non-Muslims in Non-Islamic Countries”, which is among the topics that were postponed during the 16th session held between 21 – 26 Shawwaal 1422 AH, for the completion of its consideration.
After listening to the research presented, and the arguments and debates that followed, the Council resolved on the following:
1- Muslims’ participation in elections with non-Muslims in non-Islamic countries is among the issues of Islamic politics of which its ruling shall be determined in light of juxtaposing its associated benefits and its relative evils. Thus, its verdict could vary based on differences in time, places and conditions;
2- It is PERMISSIBLE for a Muslim that enjoys the rights of citizenship in a non-Muslim country to participate in representative elections and the likes, due to the preponderance of the predominant benefits that are associated with his participation, such as presenting the correct picture about Islam, and defending issues that affect Muslims in his country, and achieving the religious and worldly rights of the minority, and consolidating their role in influential positions, and cooperation with people of moderation and equity in order to achieve cooperation based on truth and justice, subject to the following conditions:
Firstly: The Muslim participant must aim with his participation at contributing to the achievement of Muslims’ benefits, and the prevention of evils and harms from afflicting them.
Secondly: The Muslim voters should be very sure that their participation would yield positive impacts that would be beneficial to the Muslims in those countries, such as the consolidation of their position, and the communication of their needs to the policymakers and the people at the top echelon of government, and the preservation of their religious and worldly interests.
Thirdly: The participation of Muslims in these elections should not lead to consequences that would be detrimental to their religion.
Allāh is the sole custodian of success, and peace and blessing upon our Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, and his relatives and companions.
The resolution was unanimously adopted and signed by the members of the Council, including:
1. Abdul Azeez bin Abdillaah Aal-Shaykh (President of the Islamic Fiqh Council and Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
2. Dr. Abdullaah bin Abdil Muhsin Al-Turki (Vice President of the Council).
3. Dr. Saalih bin Zaayin Al-Marzouqi (General Secretary of the Council).
4. Dr. Wahba Mustafa Al-Zuhayhi.
5. Dr. Ahmad bin Ali Sayr Al-Mubaaraki.
6. Dr. Abdullaah bin Sulaymaan Al-Manee’.
7. Dr. Muhammad Saalim bin Abdul Waduud.
8. Dr. Abdullaah bin Ali Al-Rukbaan.
9. Dr. Abdul Kareem Zaydaan.
10. Dr. Esaam Ahmad Al-Basheer.
11. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdillaah Al-Subayyil, and others.