Islam, Democracy, and the Pakistani State: A Complex Relationship

Defining Democracy, Islam’s Perspective on Governance, and Pakistan’s Administrative Reality

Democracy is a system of governance where everyone has a say, and leaders are chosen by the people. In Islam, the system is guided and controlled by God’s commands, not by the decisions of people or rulers. The laws and principles come from God, and everyone, including leaders, must follow them. This ensures that the guidance is divine, not based on human desires or power.

In Pakistan, where the majority of people are Muslim, there is an attempt to combine these ideas. However, making democracy function effectively in Pakistan is challenging. The country faces issues like political instability, corruption, and poorly functioning systems. It’s a struggle to find a balance between ideal principles and the practical realities of governing the nation.

Let’s delve deeper into a more detailed analysis of three:

1) The concept of Democracy 2) Islam’s perspective on Governance 3) How the Pakistani state functions in practice

What is Democracy?

“Democracy” is derived from an ancient Greek word “demokratia” in which “demos” are the people and “kratos” means rule. Athenians first used it in the 5th BC.

In a democracy, the State’s power is vested in the people. The proper definition of democracy is that it is a form of government where the people have the authority to deliberate and decide on legislation directly (Direct Democracy) or choose officials who will do so on their behalf (Representative Democracy).

Abraham Lincoln 16th President of the USA described “ Democracy is Govt of the people, for the people and by the people.” So in a democracy, the people are the rulers. The people decide the rules and laws. The common form is representative democracy in which people choose leaders through a voting system (controlled and run by the govt) to govern on their behalf and they form a Govt for a certain period.

In a voting system, every eligible adult has the right to select the candidate they believe is best suited for the position. Factors like education, criminal history, financial status, personal interests, or religion do not restrict anyone from voting. While we may compare individuals on different levels, each person's vote holds equal value.

With a few exceptions, nearly every country in the world claims to be democratic.

The Challenges and Flaws of Democracy

In a democracy, the majority wins, but this doesn’t always guarantee a positive outcome. The majority may be poorly informed or misled. People might sell their votes, fear opposing popular opinion, or lack access to accurate information, falling victim to false propaganda.

Additionally, qualified candidates may struggle to rise to power due to systemic barriers such as rigged elections, unfair voting practices, or political favoritism. These obstacles can prevent deserving individuals from gaining a fair opportunity to lead.

Moreover, powerful figures, including those with criminal backgrounds, wealthy individuals, and large organizations, often use their influence and resources to manipulate public opinion, control media narratives, and intimidate opponents. They always push for a government that protects their own interests above all else.

Such practices create an environment where the most qualified individuals may be sidelined in favor of those with connections, resources, or the ability to exploit the system.

The Ideal Environment for Democratic Rule

For democracy to work successfully, everyone should be educated, well-informed, financially stable, and fair, without letting personal likes or dislikes affect their decisions. The government should not directly control powerful institutions, and law enforcement should ensure elections are free and fair. They must also stop people with bad intentions from running for office and support qualified candidates in getting into positions of power.

These institutions also need to protect the public from harmful agendas. When these basic principles are followed, a country can thrive under democratic rule. However, in many parts of the world, including countries where people are educated and have basic rights, this is not the case.

For a democracy to truly thrive, it requires more than just the right to vote; it needs a system that ensures fairness, transparency, and accountability at every level. The people in power must be held to the highest standards, and there must be checks and balances to prevent corruption and manipulation.

Voters need access to accurate information, and the government should protect them from misinformation or exploitation by powerful interests. Without these safeguards, even in well-educated societies, democracy can be undermined, leaving room for the rich and powerful to dominate and for the voices of the people to be silenced. Only when these elements are in place can democracy genuinely serve the people and promote a fair and prosperous society.

Islam’s Perspective on Governance

It’s important to understand that in Islam, there is no room for democracy or any other form of rule by human law. The only Supreme Power is Allah, and He sets the rules for everything through His Book (the Quran) and His Messenger (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).

People may try to interpret or change these teachings to fit their own desires or ideas, but the truth remains unchanged. Islam does not allow any compromise when it comes to following the system set by Allah, as clearly stated in the Quran.

He says:

“ It is He who sent his Messenger (SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it. “ (9:33)

On another occasion, He says:

“ It is He who sent His Messenger (SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, and sufficient is Allah as a witness.” (48:28)

In an Islamic state, the word of Allah is the ultimate authority and serves the collective well-being of all members of society. The laws and principles outlined in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) guide all aspects of governance. The ruler should be chosen through the consensus of the community, particularly the practical and knowledgeable Muslims, ensuring that the leadership aligns with the values of justice, fairness, and the welfare of all people. This system ensures that leadership is grounded in divine guidance, not personal interests or power.

The ruler’s responsibility is to maintain order in accordance with the teachings of the Quran. If the ruler acts in opposition to these principles, they are no longer fit to lead and should be replaced. Allah affirms that His words are superior and should be followed, even if people may think differently because He is all-knowing. Therefore, Allah’s guidance must always be trusted and prioritized above all else.

The word “Deen” (???) in the Quran refers to the complete way of life. Both an individual Muslim and an Islamic state should strive to closely follow the system prescribed by Allah, aiming for perfection in adhering to His guidance. If a person or a state turns toward their own desires or submits to a system other than Allah’s, they are not truly following the religion. Any justification for such actions is unacceptable, as in Islam, the word of Allah is always supreme and must take precedence over all else.

Contrasts Between Democratic and Islamic Rule of Law

The contrast between democratic rule of law and Islamic rule of law lies in the source of authority and the way laws are determined. In a democracy, laws are created by people through elected representatives, and the system is based on majority rule, where decisions are made according to public opinion and political processes. In contrast, the Islamic rule of law is based solely on the teachings of Allah, as revealed in the Quran and the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).

In Islam, the law is divine and unchangeable, meant to guide all aspects of life, from personal conduct to governance. While democracy allows for flexibility and change according to the will of the people, Islamic law remains constant, with the ultimate authority resting with Allah, and humans are required to follow these divine laws without alteration or compromise.

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

First of all, let’s talk about the situation of the common Pakistani right now and how the governing system works for them.

In Pakistan, the average citizen spends their life working to serve the elite class, with little power or opportunity to challenge the system. The way the system is structured, the common people are caught in a cycle where they are too busy trying to survive to focus on demanding their rights or seeking change.

They are trapped, and dependent on the system, unless they somehow manage to align themselves with the elites. Once they do, the system starts working in their favor, allowing them to manipulate it for personal gain.

This cycle has continued for close to eight decades, and the powers that be ensure it remains unchallenged. When you observe the lives of ordinary people, it becomes clear that they are often in miserable conditions, struggling with poverty, lack of opportunity, and systemic oppression. The system benefits a few while the majority remains stuck in a never-ending struggle.

The establishment treats democracy merely as a tool to manipulate others for their own gain, rather than respecting it as a true system of governance.

Pakistan’s current situation reflects a troubling absence of both true democracy and an authentic Islamic system of governance. Instead, the nation is mired in a system where a small elite class controls power, using government institutions, media, judiciary, and other bodies to maintain their hold over the people. This elite manipulates political processes and controls narratives, ensuring that common citizens remain disempowered and unable to demand real change. Despite the promises of democracy, the voting system and government functions are so manipulated that the will of the people rarely translates into actual governance.

Any hope of an Islamic system rooted in justice and equality is also absent, leaving a governance structure that serves only those in power.

The elite use various tactics to control the public, exploiting government institutions to silence dissent and shape public opinion. The media, often under pressure or influence from those in power, promotes narratives that distract from genuine issues or frames them in ways that protect elite interests. The judiciary, which should ideally uphold justice, often appears compromised, with judgments to favor the powerful over ordinary citizens. Institutions that should serve the people instead reinforce this hierarchy, making it difficult for citizens to receive fair treatment or accountability from those in power. The law and order situation is equally concerning, with security agencies prioritizing the protection of the elite, leaving ordinary people vulnerable to rising crime and injustice without reliable recourse.

The international community, which claims to champion democracy and human rights, has shown a silent, even complacent, stance toward Pakistan’s internal issues. Rather than supporting meaningful reforms, foreign governments often side with the Pakistani elite, as this arrangement protects their own geopolitical and economic interests. This has allowed the ruling class to maintain the status quo without meaningful pressure for change, leaving the people feeling abandoned on the global stage.

As a result, Pakistan functions within a deeply corrupted system that serves the agendas of those within it rather than the interests of the public. There is no functioning democracy, no fair Islamic governance — just a decayed, self-serving system that perpetuates injustice and inequality.

When people try to hold one party accountable, they’re redirected to others, with each government blaming the last or shifting responsibility to the establishment and institutions. If people seek help from institutions, they’re told that they’re simply following government orders. This endless cycle of blame and helplessness leaves the common people with no solutions, keeping them stuck in their struggles without any real hope for change.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s challenges can’t be resolved by waiting for change to come from within the existing system; those in power have repeatedly proven their unwillingness to act in the public’s interest. If genuine democracy, justice, and prosperity are to be achieved, the people must unify, raise their voices, and stand firmly for their rights. It’s essential to foster greater awareness among the public, helping them see past the narratives fed by those in power and understand the true nature of the system that has held them back for so long.

The international community, too, has a crucial role to play. If they truly stand for human rights and democracy, they must act on those principles in meaningful ways, not just in words. Supporting the people, not the powerful, would send a strong message that the values they claim to defend aren’t selective.

For Pakistan’s citizens, every effort to raise awareness, stand in unity, and seek support, wherever possible, will be critical in pushing back against an entrenched system. Only by collective action and a shared resolve can the people of Pakistan hope to bring about a fair and just future.