Government by Consultation The first four Caliphs did not...

Government by Consultation The first four Caliphs did not perform their administrative or legislative functions without consulting “the wise” (ahl al-ra’y , lit., those that are able to give advice) of the community. They also realized that those consulted had the right to give their candid opinion without any fear.

‘Umar expressed the official policy in this regard in his inaugural speech before a Consultative Council in this way, “I have called you for nothing but that you may share with me the burden of the trust that has reposed in me of managing your affairs. I am but one of you, and today you are the…