It must not be imagined that Islam accepts democracy and...

It must not be imagined that Islam accepts democracy and that we can choose the leader of the Islamic community with the votes of others. It is never so. What the votes of people have a part in is neither the leadership nor his representation. According to Islamic thought, the Lord has chosen the qualified jurisprudent to lead the Islamic community. Society accepts the leadership of this leader with its vote as he himself accepts his leadership but he has no part in placing him as a leader.

Hence, he accepts his leadership as a legal person. For the same reason, if he issues a verdict, no one is allowed to violate it nor is he allowed to violate it. So there is no difference between him and others as far as the observance of rules and laws is concerned. Another difference is the kind of interpretation of opinion and expression.

In this regard, the Holy Qur’an states, “So give thou good tidings to My servants who give ear to the Word and follow the fairest of it.” (13) On the other hand, the Holy Qur’an explains what the fair word is, “And who speaks fairer than he who calls unto God and does righteousness and says, surely I am of them that surrender?” (14) Thus, although the Holy Qur’an bids others to listen to different sayings and choose the fairest, it introduces the fair words.

In other words, it offers the general syllogism, “Freedom in choosing the fairest word” it offers the minor syllogism “the nature of fair words”. The proponents of atheism do not pay attention to this minor syllogism and think that man is completely free to choose his way. The common point between Islamic thought and atheistic thought is a general principle but it must be noted that the Holy Qur’an explains the better world.

Besides, this premise is itself a broad premise, for the more delicate premise is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an which may be called the narrow premise. In the narrow principle, a better instance is indicated.

And that instance is the word of the holy Prophet (S.A.) which has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as a minor to that broad principle: “I invite ye all unto God; with a clear sight which I and he who followeth me” (15) On the basis of minor and major premises cited as broad premises, the better word is inviting people unto God. In this verse, the holy Prophet (S.A.) is introduced as being the one who invites people unto God.