Shura system
1. Introduction
Islam has given a method to hold consultation among the
Muslims for administrating their affairs of Govt. there is place and a very
important one, for shura or counsel in the Quranic state. Shura is one of the
most important institution of Islam and regarded as source of expression of
public opinion.
2. Meaning of Shura
“Shura is a body of representatives of Muslims community,
who assemble for consultation with each other to reach on a decision for
running the business of Govt.”
3. Importance of
Shura in Islamic state
(I) According to Quran
Following verses of Holy Quran shows the importance of Shura
system.
“And consult with them upon the conduct of affairs.”
“The affairs of state are run by their mutual consultation.”
(II) According to Ahadiths
“Hazrat Abu Hurairah narrated the practice of the Holy
Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) “I have not seen anybody who could excel the
prophet in consultation from companions.”
Hazrat Ayesha (R. A) says:
“ I have not seen a person consulting the people more than
Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). If Abu Bakar (R.A) and Umar (R.A) got
together on an opinion. He would not go against that.”
4. Types of Shura
During the period of Caliph Umar (R. A) there were two types
of Shura.
(I) Shura
Aam
It was consisted of the people
from the general public.
(II) Shura
Khas
It was consisted of eminent
companions.
5. Person who may be elected as Shura members
Following persons may be elected
as members of Majlis-e-Shura.
(i) Persons
who enjoy the masses.
(ii) Whose
sincerity, ability and loyalty is above reproach in the eyes of the public.
(iii) Whose
participation in the major decisions of the state would itself reflect that
free and willing cooperation of the masses is available to the state?
(iv) Whose
character is distinguished in the state.
Quran says:
“The most honored of you in the
sight of God the most pious among you.”
(Surah-Al-Nisa: 83)
6. Duty of Majlis-E-Shura
It is the duty of the members of
the Shura to give best opinion according to their wisdom Holy Prophet (Peace be
Upon Him) says:
“The man who gives counsel to his
brother knowing fully well that is not right does most surely betray his
trust.”
7. Characteristics of Shura
Following are the important
characteristic of Shura system.
(I) Will of God
Shura is subject to the will of
God.
(II) Compulsory
Principle of Shura is compulsory
and is required by sharaih. An Islamic state must consult its subjects in all
important affairs.
(III) Freedom of opinion
Freedom of opinion is an essential
characteristic of Shura system. Everybody in the Shura should be free to
express his opinion. The Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) always left the
companions to speak freely and express their opinions on the matters of
concern.
(IV) Rule of Majority opinion
It is also suggested that the
minority should follow the opinion of majority. In Shura Uhad, the companies
differed with one another and the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) followed the majority opinion.
(V) Principle of vicegerency
In Shura, that people are only
vicegerents of Allah, they have no juristiction to override any provision of
the Shariat.
(VI) Binding authority
Once Shura is reached on a
decision. It should be enforced and it has binding authority.
Quran says:
‘Once you determine, then trust in
Allah.”
8. Important Shura meetings in Islam
The following are the most
important Shura’s in Islamic history
(I) Shura Iahad
At occasion of Ahad, Holy Prophet
(Peace be Upon Him) was that they should fight the enemy by remaining inside
the city of Madina but majority
wanted the battle outside the city. Thus the opinion of majority was honoured.
(II) Shurai Badr
Shuria Badr was held by Prophet
(Peace be Upon Him) to consider whether they should meet the enemy at Badr or
not. The companions unanimously agreed to meet the enemy at Badr.
(III) Nomination of Hazrat Umar (R.A)
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) Proposed the
name of Hazrat Umar (R.A) as Caliph after him. All the members of Shura agreed and approval was given to it.
9. Comparison of Shura
with parliamentary from of Govt.
The concept of Shura propounded by
Islam is much earlier than the present concept of parliamentary system.
According to Hamid Ullah Ansari, Islam gave the concept of parliamentary system
nearly one thousand years earlier than the western concept of parliament.
Following are the factors which make the shura superior to the parliamentary
system.
(I) As to will
In Shura will of Allah is Supreme
whereas parliamentary system the public opinion is treated supreme.
(II) Dual personality
In Shura, the members are
responsible and answerable to the people and the Allah.
Where as a parliamentary system,
the members are answerable only to the people.
(III) Freedom of opinion
In Shura, every member is free to
give his opinion whereas in parliamentary system, the members are not as free
to express their opinions as they are elected on party basis.
(IV) Jurisdiction
In Shura, the de jure jurisdiction
extends to the whole world, whereas in parliamentary system, it extends to the
geographical boundaries.
(V) As to religion
In Sura religion of the state is
Islam. In western parliamentary from of Government religion is not so
important.
(VI) As to source of law
In Sura sources are Quran and
Sunnah whereas in parliamentary from of Government sources of law are man made
laws.
10. Conclusion
To conclude, I can say, that the
Islamic concept of Shura is the modal for the whole world. The Shura develops
the Islamic concepts and theories. It is in conformity to the ethics of Ijma. The
body makes the decision or legal, political matters in the light of the present
social order and norms. In Pakistan ’s
constitutions of 1973, the parliament has been giving the name of
Majlis-e-Shura by virtue of Article 50 which is the true spirit of Islam.
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