Muslim taking part in elections with non-Muslims

 

Is it permissible for a Muslim who is living in a non-Muslim country to take part in their elections?.

Praise be to Allaah.

This issue is one that is subject to ijtihaad. And we must
weigh up the interests and benefits that we hope the Muslims may attain from
this participation and the harm that may result from it. 

If the benefits outweigh the harms, then it is permissible to
take part, but if the harms outweigh the benefits, then it is not
permissible to take part. 

Based on this, the ruling differs depending on the country,
the system of voting and the people involved. Taking part may be beneficial
to the Muslims in one country, and not in another. The same applies to
individuals.  

The Fiqh Council has issued a statement on this issue:
Participation of Muslims in elections with non-Muslims, the text of which is
as follows: 

Praise be to Allaah alone, and blessings and peace be upon
the one after whom there is no Prophet, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family
and companions. 

The Islamic Fiqh Council in its nineteenth session, which was
held in the headquarters of the Muslim World League in Makkah al-Mukarramah
between 22 and 27 Shawwaal 1428 AH (3 to 8 November 2007 CE) has examined
the issue of “Participation of Muslims in elections with non-Muslims in
non-Muslim countries.” This is one of the topics on which discussion was
deferred in the sixteenth conference which was held between 21 and 26
Shawwaal 1422 AH in order that it may be examined more thoroughly. 

After listening to the research that was presented and the
discussions concerning it, the Council has determined the following: 

1.

Muslim participation in elections with non-Muslims in a
non-Muslim country is one of the shar’i political matters in which the
ruling is determined in the light of weighing up the pros and cons, and
fatwas concerning it differ according to time, place and circumstances. 

2.

it is permissible for a Muslim who enjoys the rights of
citizenship in a non-Muslim country to take part in elections and the like
because it is more likely that his participation will bring benefits such as
presenting a true picture of Islam, defending Muslim issues in that country,
supporting the rights of religious and other minorities, strengthening their
role in circles of influence, and cooperating with reasonable, fair-minded
people on a basis of truth and justice. That should be in accordance with
the following guidelines: 

(i)               
The Muslim participants should
intend thereby to serve the interests of the Muslims and ward off evil and
harm from them.

(ii)             
The Muslim participants should
think it most likely that their participation will have positive effects
that will benefit the Muslims in that country, such as supporting their
position, conveying their requests to the decision makers and those who are
in charge of the country, and protecting their religious and worldly
interests.

(iii)           
The Muslim’s participation in
these elections should not lead to him neglecting his religious duties. 

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send
blessing and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.