Why Islamists Resist Democracy: A Critical Review of Their Doctrine, Rationale, and Theological Rationales

Refuting the Islamist Rejection of Democracy: Reconciling Islamic Governance with Justice, Consultation, and Public Welfare By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 14 February 2025 Major points: The Islamist rejection of democracy is built upon a rigid and selective interpretation of Islamic teachings that distorts the true nature of governance in Islam. By claiming that Hakimiyya (divine sovereignty) negates human legislation, that secularism is an existential threat to Islam, and that majority rule leads to moral corruption, thinkers such as Sayyid Qutb, Abul Ala Maududi, and Hassan al-Banna have framed democracy as an un-Islamic concept. Classical scholars such as Imam Al-Mawardi, Ibn Khaldun, and Al-Juwayni have recognized that Islamic governance is not confined to a single model but is instead defined by ethical and moral objectives. … Introduction Islamist ideologies have typically opposed democracy with much vigour and zeal. Democracy, as a form of government rooted in popular sovereignty, individual freedoms, and the rule of law, is always resisted vigorously by Islamist ideologues. Many Islamists argue that democracy is incompatible with Islam because it places legislative authority in the hands of human beings rather than in divine law (Shari’a). Key Islamist thinkers such as Sayyid Qutb, Abul Ala Maududi, and Hassan al-Banna have rejected democracy on the grounds that it promotes secularism, moral relativism, and majority rule, all of which they see as contrary to Islamic governance. It's based on theological, historical, and political reasons why Islamists reject democracy. The Islamist rejection of democracy is built upon a rigid and selective interpretation of Islamic teachings that distorts the true nature of governance in Islam. By claiming that Hakimiyya (divine sovereignty) negates human legislation, that secularism is an existential threat to Islam, and that majority rule leads to moral corruption, thinkers such as Sayyid Qutb, Abul Ala Maududi, and Hassan al-Banna have framed democracy as an un-Islamic concept. However, as demonstrated through extensive Quranic evidence, historical precedents, and scholarly refutations, democracy—when grounded in justice, consultation (shura), and public welfare (maslaha)—is not only compatible with Islam but also essential for good governance in modern Muslim societies. Throughout Islamic history, governance has evolved in diverse forms, accommodating democratic principles such as consultation, pluralism, and elected leadership without compromising Islamic values. The Rashidun Caliphate, Abbasid governance, and the Ottoman legal system all illustrate Islam’s inherent flexibility in political organization. Classical scholars such as Imam Al-Mawardi, Ibn Khaldun, and Al-Juwayni have recognized that Islamic governance is not confined to a single model but is instead defined by ethical and moral objectives. Moreover, contemporary scholars like Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, and Dr. Tariq Ramadan have emphasized that democracy serves as an effective mechanism for ensuring justice, accountability, and human dignity—all of which are fundamental Islamic values. Core ideologies of Islamists Rejecting democracy entirely, as Islamists advocate, does not lead to a purer Islamic system but rather fosters authoritarianism, sectarianism, and extremism. Islamist movements that reject democratic participation often descend into violent radicalism, undermining both social stability and Islamic ethics. Instead of embracing this exclusivist ideology, Muslim societies must reclaim a balanced, ethical, and inclusive vision of governance that aligns with both Islamic principles and modern political realities. The way forward is not to oppose democracy outright but to ensure that governance—whether democratic or otherwise—upholds the Qur’anic mandates of justice, consultation, and moral integrity. By doing so, the Muslim world can move beyond ideological rigidity and toward a more prosperous and just future. Some argue that democracy needs to be entirely replaced by the Islamic caliphate, whereas others try to create hybrid models that borrow bits of democracy while ensuring that everything is still beneath the Islamic law. This essay critically examines the reasons Islamists oppose democracy by analysing their theological arguments, ideological foundations, and historical perspectives. It also evaluates how their views have been challenged by moderate Islamic scholars who argue that democracy can be reconciled with Islamic governance. 1. The Islamist Concept of Divine Sovereignty (Hakimiyya) vs. Popular Sovereignty One of the fundamental reasons Islamists reject democracy is their belief in Hakimiyya, a concept that asserts that sovereignty (hukm, or the right to legislate) belongs exclusively to Allah. Sayyid Qutb and Abul Ala Maududi were the main proponents of this idea in the 20th century, arguing that human-made laws represent a direct violation of divine sovereignty. Sayyid Qutb of his important work Milestones (Ma'alim fi al-Tariq), famously says: "This is where those who assume legislation by desire without God are tyrants; ruling man by his fellow is exactly the hallmark that Islam comes to eradicate - which is Jahiliyyah." For Qutb, democracy is a form of shirk (associating partners with God) because it allows human beings to legislate independently of divine guidance. His argument is based on the belief that true justice and morality can only come from Shari’a, and any attempt to replace it with human laws constitutes rebellion against divine will. Similarly, Abul Ala Maududi, in his book Islamic Law and Constitution, wrote: No one has the right to make laws. This is the exclusive domain of the Creator. Any system that places sovereignty in the hands of the people is a rebellion against divine authority. Maududi’s concept of Theo-democracy attempted to incorporate some elements of democracy, such as consultation (shura), but still rejected the idea that laws could be made by human consensus. Instead, he argued that all governance should be directly based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. In that respect, democracy is essentially illegitimate since it opposes Hakimiyya. Islamist believes that making the law on behalf of humanity separate from revelation in Islam would be both theologically and morally wrong as that makes society secularize and therefore immorally corrupt. 2. The Rejection of Secularism and Liberalism Islamists also argue against democracy due to its identification with secularism, which they believe is an attempt to deliberately remove religion from public life. They argue that secular systems of governance are intended to marginalize Islamic values and replace them with Western liberal ideologies. The founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna, had warned against the dangers of secularism in his Message to the Islamic World, saying: "Western democracy is but another tool for imposing secularism upon Muslim lands. It is an attempt to separate religion from life, to strip governance of divine guidance, and to reduce Islam to a mere personal belief system. For Islamists, secularism is not just another worldview but a threat to Islamic existence. They believe that after the establishment of secular democracy, it gradually dismantles Islamic values by propagating liberal ideas of gender equality, freedom of speech, and religious pluralism. Sayyid Qutb, in his In the Shade of the Qur'an (Fi Zilal al-Qur'an), vigorously condemned secular democracy, saying: "Democracy, with its insistence on freedom of speech and expression, allows falsehood to exist alongside truth. This is not the way of Islam, which seeks to eliminate falsehood and establish divine justice." Thus, Islamists reject democracy not only because of its legislative structure but also because they see it as a vehicle for spreading secularism and moral corruption. 3. The Islamist Critique of Majority Rule and Human Legislation Another core argument Islamists have against democracy is that the laws should be decided by majority rule. In a democratic setup, elected representatives make and amend laws according to the will of the people, which Islamists believe is intrinsically wrong. Maududi, in The Islamic Way of Life, wrote: Islam does not recognize the principle of majority rule. Truth is not determined by numbers. Even if the entire world agrees on falsehood, it remains false. Only divine law can be the basis of governance. From the Islamist perspective, democracy allows the possibility that immoral or un-Islamic laws could be enacted if the majority supports them. They argue that human beings are fallible and that moral truth cannot be subject to popular vote. This same view is supported by Sayyid Qutb, who writes that: "Laws passed through popular vote will betray Islam. Man usurps the authority of Allah in deciding what is valid and what is invalid." Islamists reject the core tenet of democracy, which argues that the state should represent the popular will, for they view it as fundamentally corruptible and susceptible to moral relativism. 4. The Opposition to Pluralism and Multi-Party Systems The democratic system allows for the existence of several political parties, each representing different ideologies and interests. Islamists oppose this pluralistic system because they believe it fosters division among Muslims and weakens the unity of the Islamic state. Hassan al-Banna argued: "The idea of political parties is alien to Islam. It divides the Muslim ummah into factions and promotes discord. There should be only one political authority—one that rules by divine law." Islamists prefer one coherent system of government in which everything is implemented based on what God has stated in the Qur'an. This system does not entertain the belief that Muslims have a right to express themselves into other political activities as this might be seen to compete with ideology that dilutes the religion. This has led them to oppose the establishment of an Islamic caliphate instead of a democratic state. 5. The Call for Islamic Governance as an Alternative to Democracy Since Islamists reject democracy, they propose an alternative model of governance based on Islamic law and religious authority. This model varies between different Islamist movements, but it generally includes the following features: - A supreme religious authority that ensures all laws align with Shari’a. - A consultative system (Shura), but under the umbrella of Islamic law only. - Prohibition of secular parties and philosophies that are in contradiction to Islamic governance. - The implementation of moral laws, including any untoward restrictions on speech, attire, or conduct. Maududi’s concept of theo-democracy attempted to create a system where elected leaders were bound by Islamic law, but it still rejected fundamental democratic principles like popular sovereignty and individual freedoms. Sayyid Qutb, however, went further and advocated for a complete overthrow of secular governments, stating: The establishment of a true Islamic state requires the dismantling of all forms of governance that derive their authority from human laws. This is the duty of every true believer." This call for revolutionary change has inspired many Islamist movements, including Al-Qaeda and ISIS, which have sought to establish Islamic governance through force rather than electoral processes. Islamists oppose democracy primarily because they believe it contradicts divine sovereignty (Hakimiyya), promotes secularism, and allows for human legislation that may contradict Islamic law. Thinkers such as Sayyid Qutb, Abul Ala Maududi, and Hassan al-Banna have rejected democracy as an illegitimate Western import, arguing that Islamic governance must be based solely on Shari’a. Their views have been thoroughly condemned by moderate Islamic scholars, who argue that democracy could be compatible with Islam when it espoused justice, consultation (shura), and ethical governance. Finally, the reason why Islamist's reject democracy is not purely for theological reasons but rather as a form of political rebellion against secular ideologies that supersede their own. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/islamist-democracy-islamic-governance-justice-hakimiyya-sovereignty/d/134611 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism