Dr Obaidur Rahman Nadwi

The term democracy is derived from the two Greek words 'demos' and 'kratia'.These two together mean 'authority of the people.' Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA, has precisely defined democracy. He held democracy as 'the government of the people, by the people and for the people. M.K.Gandhi says:"My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest. That can never happen except through non-violence.(Harijan,18-5-1840).  He further says:"True democracy can't be worked by 20 men sitting at the centre; it has to be worked from below by the people of every village."(Harijan, 18-1-48).

The history bears witness that since its inception Islam laid great stress on democratic values and secular norms. It is Islam that first practised democracy in the world.

Islam has been the most tolerant and egalitarian of all religions. Muslims had ruled more than 800 years over Spain, but not a single incident of forceful conversion occurred. Such cases are also not seen in other countries under the sway of Muslim rulers including the longest period of Mughals rule in India. Not to speak of the forceful conversion to Islam, the Holy Prophet strictly prohibited causing harm to non-Muslims in any way. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:"Whoever torments the Zimmis (non-Muslims) torments me."

Islam also enhances sense of justice, equality, morality, ethics, tolerance, forbearance, sympathy, integrity, honesty, brotherhood, fraternity, kindness, generosity, cleanliness, sanitation, enlightenment, wisdom etc. The beauty and elegance of Islam is that it puts each thing in its proper place. Islam's main plank is to set up such a friendly environment wherein all people may live with peace and serenity regardless of caste, creed, colour and region. According to Islam all people are from the same origin and source and they were made into nations and tribes just to know each other, as confirmed by the following Quranic words: "O mankind, We created you from a single male and a female, made you into nations and tribes, and ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things." (49:13) 

That is why Islam enunciates that cooperation and help should be in matters of piety and virtues and not in evil and unholy acts and deeds. The holy Quran says: "Help ye another in righteousness and piety, but help not one another in sin and rancour: Fear Allah : for Allah is strict in punishment" (5:2)

Following sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are worth quoting.

Once the holy Prophet said: "Help your brother whether he is oppressed or oppressor." His companions asked, "How could we help if he is oppressor?" The Prophet replied: "Stop him from oppression." Narrated Abu Musa: Some people asked Allah's Apostle (S) "Whose Islam is the best ? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim?) He replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." Narrated Anas: The Prophet (S) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his Muslim brother what he likes for himself."   Prophet says: "He is not true Muslim who eath his fill, and leaveth his neighbours hungry." Again he said: "TheMuhajir is he who denounces the evil, and then keeps aloof from it." The Prophet declared, "He who hurts a dhimmi (non believer living in an Islamic state) hurts me and he who hurts me annoys God." He also said, "On the Day of Resurrection, I shall denounce him who oppresses a dhimmi or violates his right or puts a responsibility on him which is beyond his strength or takes something away from him."

The above traditions of the Prophet indicate that his mission is only for restoring dignity and uplifting of people and setting up an atmosphere of peace and amity throughout the world.It should be kept in mind that it is Islam which first Offered the concept of common citizenship and promoted a multi-religious and pluralistic society.

When the Prophet settled down in Madina, he constituted a city-state, in which Muslims, Pagan Arabs, Jews and Christians, all entered into a stable organism by means of a social contract.

In latter days wherever Islam spread, this trend was kept alive by Muslim rulers too.

Needless to add that right from the very outset Islam has been the most tolerant and egalitarian of all religions.

Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi says, "The spirit of human brotherhood built up by Islam is not hampered by concepts of racialism or sectarianism, be it linguistic, historic, traditionalistic or even of dogmatic nature. Its power to unite different races and nations in one brotherhood has always been recognized. Islam was the first religion which preached and practiced democracy." (Islam and Civilization, P.25)

Similar thoughts are of the well known Indian freedom fighter and poetess Sarojini Naidu. She says, "It was the first religion that preached and practised democracy; for in the mosque when the call from the Minaret is sounded and the worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, "God alone is great." I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man distinctly a brother." (Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, P. 169)

In short, if we study Islam and ponder over its contributions and services to humanity, we come to the conclusion that current misgivings about Islam are unfounded. Suffice it to say that Almighty Allah Himself addressed the Prophet to say, "O Muhammad, say to people, "To you be your religion, and to me mine." (109:6) That is why the Prophet never compelled Jews or Christians to accept Islam. The Holy Quran strongly advocates that "There shall be no coercion on matters of faith." (2.•256)

Dr.Obaidur Rahman Nadwi teaches in Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama