A new version of managing governments

1. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem1
Islamic System of Legislation And Manifestation
Please allow me to become direct with the topic right from the beginning.
We do not need Zardari. It is just not about one person, Zardari in terms of its meaning and
unfortunately in terms of personality also, is a symbol of malicious power structure & set up in Pakistan,
including everyone who wants to keep us deprived of good education, health, financial liberty and other
civic amenities. They want to rule us in the name of democracy because it is so easy in countries like
Pakistan to hide your corruption and legitimize power through a democratic way. Please accept my
apologies but “Zardari” has become a symbolic phrase meaning all those corrupt politicians who have
been misusing our country’s resources, pushed us almost in the dark ages. Actually, they are not leaders;
they are the ones who stole our recognition, respect and trust.
ISLAM BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY OF DEMOCRACY
A common argument can be given about
democracy’s good or bad use and that it will
evolve gradually to a level what we see it
delivering in the West. This is the world’s most We cannot allow democracy to
misguiding statement that I can ever hear. prove that there is no God in
People who give this argument are either
this world.
totally ignorant or liars. One thing has to be
clear in mind; democracy is good or bad but has
no relationship with Islam. It is a very wrong
perception that Islam also presents democracy as a system of government. How Allah Kareem could
allow His believers to follow a system which has an inherent authority to go to a limit to prove that there
is no Allah in this world. Right or wrong? It’s just a matter of majority getting together and vote against
Allah. I know, it sounds strange and no will ever use democracy to that limit but that’s the unfortunate
reality of this system. And to a limit, if democracy in Pakistan is not challenging Allah, it has of course
challenged many of the rules of Allah for sure.
ISLAM’S PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION OF HEAD OF STATE
We have seen democracies working under both the army and civil rule. Just tell me honestly, what was
the difference between assemblies of both the
times? Same people, same faces and same
system with a different brand was elected and
worked. And resultantly, it never delivered any Western democracy could have
prosperity and welfare to the public. And we are never elected the first head of
over and again being fooled around to give time
Muslim state.
to the democracy to evolve. Just imagine, had
there been a democracy after Prophet (SAW)
returned to His Lord and the MNAs & MPAs
would have contested for elections in many constituencies of Makkah & Madinah and every illiterate &
criminal tom dick & harry had participated in elections in the traditional polling booths as it is the case

2. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem2
with western democracy, Abu Bakr (RA) could have never become the head of Muslim state. Despite of
all the greatness of Abu Bakr (RA), there were many against him also at that time, especially among the
population of Makkah. Those of you who have even a little study of political environment of that time
would agree that Abu Sufian (RA) was more popular and many times richer than Abu Bakr (RA) and
according to democratic norms, he was an ideal candidate for a sweeping victory. But he could not
because Ashaab-e-Rasul Allah(SAW) had wisdom to find Islamic ways of elections. As a matter of fact,
Abu Bakr (RA) also never presented himself for the position, as opposed to western democracy where
the candidate will always present himself as leader. If we go through the history of that time, there was
a dispute between mahajreens & ansaars to take over the new government but later on Umer (RA)
sorted out the problem by presenting Abu Bakr (RA) as the Khalifa. And then afterwards only the
respected and qualified personalities of the Muslim society voted Abu Bakr (RA) to accept him as the
head of the Muslim state.
That’s how Allah Rabul Ezzat guided Muslims the ways to form an Islamic government. Interestingly, the
elections of Abu Bakr introduced us Islamic Democracy (as we may call it) which actually does not
emphasize much on the qualifications of candidate rather it ensures the highest credentials of voters.
Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala said that “the one who is best in Taqwa, make him as your leader”. This is a clear
Instruction to a voter, not to a leader and should not be misinterpreted as a means to use it for yourself
to present as one of the leaders. That means the authority to find a leader or head of state rests upon a
voter only, not on the leaders to form a political party and present themselves as the best option for
government. The voters should be educated
and wise enough to profile and chose a God
fearing person and along with other related
The credentials of the voter are aspects. In exactly the same manner as Abu
more important in Islam than Bakr was voted by only those who had the
the candidate’s candidature. ability to understand his stature. It’s a hard rule
that in an Islamic Democracy every citizen is
not allowed to select or vote for the leader or
head of state. If we allow all the citizens to vote, then how would you justify the weight & value of the
vote of a highly educated and honest person when it is equally treated with that of an illiterate person?
It means that my opinion & reasoning to select or reject someone can be equal to the opinion of a
criminal who would never accept justice and prosperity of people. Then, what you are telling me is that
the vote of Umer (RA) was equal to that of some nonbelievers of Quresh-e-Makkah at the time when he
was voting for Abu Bakr? The idea behind this philosophy is very simple, if we raise the voters’
qualification, the qualification of the candidate or leader will be automatically improved. An educated &
civilized community is likely to select the best and illiterate & uncivilized will select the worst from them.
This has exactly been happening in Pakistan and that is why we had more or less the same people in our
assemblies time after time.
NEED TO REDEFINE A VOTER FOR ISLAMIC DEMOCRACY
Of course, the qualifications of the voters or the right to vote cannot be what it used to be 1400 years
ago. The dynamics now in 21st century have completely changed in terms of education, awareness,

3. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem3
intelligence and much more. It has to be redefined and certain minimum standards of the voters in
terms of education, image in society or whatever has to be the legal requirement to vote for elections.
Resultantly, the voters’ bank will be reduced to a very small size but I am sure that such a highly
qualified voters’ bank will select a best president or prime minister.
DEMOCRACY WOULD FAIL IN PAKISTAN TIME AFTER TIME
50% of the Pakistan’s population is illiterate, means they cannot
write and read even their own names. And 50% literate also
include those who can just write their names only. It’s a very
50% of the illiterate
conservative idea that 50% of the population is still struggling to and poorest
survive below the poverty line. Astonishingly, the voters turn population, living
out in any election was never more than 40% of the total below the poverty
voter’s population. I have no fear in believing that 100% of the
line, make majority
voters turn out is out of 50% illiterate and poor people of
of the voters’ bank
Pakistan. These so called flag holders of democracy know these
gimmicks very well. They know it that their voters’ bank is in every elections
mainly composed out of poor and illiterate class of the country
and that is why they would always maintain this class difference
to as wide range as possible.
WESTERN DEMOCRACY IS A WISHFUL THINKING WITHOUT ITS PREREQUISITES
On the other hand, I am not out rightly opposing western democracy. This type of democracy has
delivered reasonably good results in western world. But we must remember that there are two
important pre-requisites for this democracy to be successful.
 Number one is the “general education level” of the people or society. Education and literacy
improves the level of perception and understanding of right & wrong among people. Though it
may not have such effects across the board to every citizen of the country but majority would
have the right benefits of good education.
 Second pre-requisite for western democracy to succeed is the “financial liberty” which means
that people of the country are prosperous enough to live with basic needs of life like shelter,
food, clothing, hospitals and other civic amenities. Their decision to elect a leader shall not be
affected because of financial reasons or poverty.
So, if a nation who has the awareness of right & wrong with good education and they also have the
authority and financial liberty to elect their leader or representative can get good results of western
democracy. Otherwise, it is a big disaster, as in the case of Pakistan. And our so called leaders will never
support or plan a good education and the
financial liberty for us because they know
very well that it will go against their lust
Democracy can never be succes sful
for power. The advocates of democracy
will always argue that a continuous without an educated and financially
democratic process with time after time liberal society
transparent & clean elections will one day

4. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem4
wipe out the corrupt politicians and a new breed of sincere leadership will come up. It’s a wishful
thinking which is good to feel about but on ground realities are harsher than their dreams. They are
assuming lot of impossibilities or a magic to happen. A Western Democracy in Pakistan is like egg before
or chicken. Either we will first have an educated, prosperous & politically aware nation to reject the
corrupt leaders or we will first have good & honest leaders to build us an educated and well-off nation.
DEMOCRATIC DICTATORS – PAKISTAN NEVER HAD PURE DICTATORSHIPS
Pakistan is just not a country for those living now but it has to be a country for our children also. We
don’t want a Pakistan where our daughters are raped, our sons are killed in street, our families are
begging for food on the road and the so called leaders are enjoying all the richness. Believe me, they are
very few and we are much more than
them. It’s just a matter of coming
together and save Pakistan.
Sometimes it feels that the opposite of Unfortunately, Dictators have given
democracy is a dictator rule which is not us better governance than civil
always the case. The reverse of
democratic rulers and the only
democracy is actually ISLAM. The
dictators in Pakistan have never been
reason was the better qualification of
pure hardcore dictators like we had dictator.
Saddam or Gaddafi. Fortunately or
unfortunately they have been more
democratic than our existing form of democracy itself. The country’s social and economic indicators
have shown positive signs. People were little better off in the times of a dictator, especially the last
dictator Pervaiz Musharraf who I would call the most “Democratic Dictator”. I guess he is the first
dictator of human history to fully allow press & media to speak for & against him freely. Before him
there was only one state owned TV channel in Pakistan and Musharraf gave licenses to more than 65 TV
channels. The past democratic government of Nawaz Sharif before Musharraf with 2/3 majority in the
assembly, could not get courage to do so. This of course does not prove that dictatorship is better than
Islam but it is little closer to Islam, say about by 10%. But most of the intelligent Pakistanis would argue
what Pakistan is suffering now is all
because of dictators’ rule. That’s a
judgmental statement without any Only a highly qualified pool of voters
supporting argument. A dictator can help us finding the best in class
maintained a dollar price at round 60
Rupees for eight years and in just four
people to represent us in assemblies.
years civil rule it is staggering at around
96 Rupees now. The dictator governed
electricity production so well with the same capacity as it is now to produce successfully near to the
demand and in civil the bad governance created a shortfall of more than 50%. The food prices have been
doubled or tripled in the times of civil rule when compared with dictator’s rule. Foreign debts are
doubled in just four years of civil rule. Local & foreign investment was higher in the times of dictator.

5. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem5
Please remember, I am not supporting a dictator, I am supporting the numbers during the dictator’s rule
which loudly speak as good indicators of the welfare of people. The question is why it works so well in
the times of a dictator and not in the civil rule? The answer is simple. The dictator in Pakistan was always
a head of Pakistan’s armed forces. A back ground of managing the world’s 7th largest army & nuclear
power. He had managed more than 40% of Pakistan’s budget and had a close eye on foreign affairs. He
is trained to deal with variety of situations and has better decision making abilities. So as army chief, his
governance and financial management abilities are more sharpened than a civil ruler. Just imagine, you
change the credentials of one man on the top, it changes the whole picture down the line. But
unfortunately, all that good to the people and the country was not sustainable because he did not come
into power through a legal process and his actions don’t get legitimacy for further follow up in the
following civil rule. Now think of improving the credentials of voters in Pakistan, a qualified voters’ pool
can bring the best people in power and of course a big time sustainability to all the welfare.
WHY WE CAN’T REFUSE DEMOCRACY
Politicians would oppose any idea of
ruling Pakistan other than current ways
of democracy, not because they want to Democracy is not a Quranic order –
build Pakistan like democratic West but We should not be afraid of admitting
because they get shameless power over
its failure in Pakistan
the poor this way. However, the general
masses are afraid of talking against
democracy for reasons either;
 They don’t want to consider Islamic system of government
 Or they think that Islam has failed to suggest any method of forming government & legislation
 Or whatever Islam proposes is not practical in modern times
 Or they believe that Islam does not offer anything else other than the “Democracy”
10 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC DEMOCRACY
The concept of democracy was actually invented by old Greeks thousands of years ago not by Islam. Of
course the election of first Khalifa-Abu Bakr (RA) and then the elections of preceding three more
Khalifas is a good example to understand the Islamic Democracy (the phrase is being used for understanding
purpose otherwise there is nothing that exists as Islamic Democracy ) which was much simpler but was based
on certain solid and basic rules for the selection and formation of Islamic government:
1. Not all the citizens are allowed to participate or vote in the election process. Probably some
areas may be left out as unrepresented because of higher illiteracy rate or voters’ qualifications
don’t justify the constituency but it can be worked with a different solution.
2. There should be a preset qualification for voters purely based on the ability to comprehend the
leadership’s capability to drive nation in all dimensions.
3. Identified candidates/leaders must be the best chosen in terms Taqwa and God fearing beyond
any doubts or allegations
4. There is no concept of political parties in Islam as it tends to divide Muslim and seriously effect
the unity. The voters and the proposed leader/representative should not reflect/present with a

6. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem6
different named group or party. Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala clearly said that we have been named
“Muslims” as nation which means there is no option of dividing the nation of any other grounds.
5. Assemblies or majlis-e-shoura’ should represent people not parties in any case and should not
be appointed as ministers, advisors or any functionary to hold any public office. However, all
such public offices and public office holders should be approved by Majlis-e-shura’
6. The elected leader/head of state/representatives will be open to accountability
7. He has no immunity from legal proceedings and conviction if any against him
8. Once elected, the head of state can be removed only by the court of law. Any citizen can take
the elected member of shura’ or head of state to the court on accountability grounds but on
proven non performance, only the shura’ can move a motion of illegibility of the head of state
but again the courts should be able to decide the disqualification.
9. The elected head of state is functionally responsible of all activities of the state
10. The elected head of state will be the chief of the country’s defense
The above rules are merely guidance to the formation of Islamic government. However, a further
enhanced & modern system can be easily derived & constituted based on the above facts and we can
design a new constitution of Pakistan around these rules. Unfortunately, the above ISLAM does not go in
the interest of corrupt politicians and feudal lords who are carrying the leadership titles generation after
generation. They know it very well that if the voters’ bank is shrunk based on the improved voters’
qualifications, they will not be able to fool around
their constituencies. We have already gone against
Islam in our constitution. Zardari has got immunity Islamic system of forming
from legal proceedings as president. Nauz-u-Billah, governments is not in the
what do we think that Zaedari is greater than Umer
interest of our politicians
(RA) or Abu Bakr (RA) who despite of being the
closest friends of Prophet (SAW) never asked for such and those who benefit
an immunity whereas, they were head of Muslim from their authorities.
state which was actually many times bigger than
Pakistan. Is that we call as democracy where our own
elected presidents or prime ministers cannot be brought to justice for being unjustified to their own
people. This is totally against the Islamic system of government.
We can give immunity to Zardari or our corrupt
politicians from their heinous crimes but then believe
We can give immunity to me nobody can give us immunity from Azaab-e-Elahi.
Presidents but who will And exactly the indications have started showing up
now in the form of earthquakes, floods, target
give us immunity from
killings, rapes, families begging on roads, inflation,
Azaab-e-Elahi. corruption and many dreadful things cropping up in
our society.
With all due respect, the people of Pakistan have turned into a senseless nation and don’t want to learn
from their experiences. They have been voting for same old names and their sons & daughters since last

7. Islamic System of Forming Governments By: K M Saleem7
many elections who are well known rather notorious
in becoming rich faster than anybody else. These so
called leaders and actually the black faces of our The current democracy is
society win elections easily & every time since more
only possible with lot of
than a half century and we still want to believe that
democracy is evolving. To me and I am sure many money and this democracy
more people agree that such results of elections with can give you lot of money.
the voters composed of poor, illiterate and
suppressed people are not reliable as their voting
decisions are bringing up the same old lot of corrupt politicians time and again. And the corrupt elected
politicians instead of being thankful to the public they rather justify their HaramKari by saying that
people of Pakistan have given them a mandate of doing so.
And those of us who are somewhat better off in terms of political awareness and authority over their
decisions are not participating in the election process at all. One way or the other, all such participants
have concluded the system as failure. They have
experienced that no matter how clean the elections
are claimed to be, they bring up the same
Around 70% of the people blackmailers in the assemblies and 70% of population
enjoy a holiday on the day simply take a day off on the day of elections.
of elections. Probably, Unfortunately, I am also one of the 70% who don’t
participate in elections and my prime concern for
they don’t trust this
doing so is simple … how is it possible that my opinion
system to bring up their can be equal to that of an illiterate, ill-mannered,
representation. uncivilized and probably criminal person who has no
awareness of the power or the responsibility of voter.
Second important reason to reject the election
process is the absence of leadership or the right candidate to vote for. The democracy which is defined
as government of people, by the people for the people has not at all proved like this. It is practically
impossible to bring up new faces to take part in the electoral process. It requires lot of money (which
has to be illegally earned), net working (illegitimate contacts with bureaucracy & powerful class) human
resource (people to terrorize others to build a power image) and this is all not possible for a middle class
educated person with a modest family back ground. So the possibility of new leadership to emerge
seems like a farfetched idea. Having said that, all those 70% not participating in elections share a
common opinion and this gives us a valid reason to get together. We will have to do it on our own and
probably without a practical leadership but I am sure that if all of us continue thinking alike, we will
come together and closer to make a very big group or a nation also and will soon find a leader from
within ourselves – The one who can represent the educated and prudent class of Pakistan. I wish all of
us a very good future.