Can a Muslim Vote and take part in the Election

Bismillah,

Asalaamu alaykum Brothers n Sisters of the Deen of Allah(swt).

I have notice on here that we all have our own personal opinions on the election of 2008 in the United States.,but must know that there is nothing wrong with that.We all have our own opinion and rights about certian things in life.

The way I see it in this Election.Barak Obama and John Mc Cain.I choose the one which gonna hurt us , than the ones who's gonna hurt us and break our bones.

Its like I said before John McCain is like a 3 term bush in office cause he supported Bush 90percent of times in the White House.I dont care wether he said he's not Bush,But still he's like his mentour no doubt about it and he will hurt our ummah and break our bones.

So this is why I choose Obama,Cause He's the one thats gonna hurt our ummah less.

I rather be hurt than someone who's gonna break my bones,this means i wont be able to walk or move and thats how i feel about this Election and our ummah.

This is a matter concerning which rulings may differ according to different circumstances in different times and places. There is no absolute ruling that covers all situations, both real and hypothetical.

In some cases it is wrong to vote, such as when the matter will have no effect on the Muslims, or when the Muslims have no effect on the outcome of the vote. In this case voting or not voting is all the same. The same applies in cases where all the candidates are equally evil or where they all have the same attitude towards Muslims…

It may be the case that the interests of Islam require Muslims to vote so as to ward off the greater evil and to reduce harmful effects, such as where two candidates may be non-Muslims but one of them is less hostile towards Muslims than the other, and Muslims’ votes will have an impact on the outcome of the election. In such cases there is nothing wrong with Muslims casting their votes in favour of the less evil candidate.

This issue is one that is subject to ijtihaad. And we must weigh up the interests and benefits that we hope the Muslims may attain from this participation and the harm that may result from it. 

If the benefits outweigh the harms, then it is permissible to take part, but if the harms outweigh the benefits, then it is not permissible to take part. 

Based on this, the ruling differs depending on the country, the system of voting and the people involved. Taking part may be beneficial to the Muslims in one country, and not in another. The same applies to individuals.  

The Fiqh Council has issued a statement on this issue: Participation of Muslims in elections with non-Muslims, the text of which is as follows: 

Praise be to Allaah alone, and blessings and peace be upon the one after whom there is no Prophet, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions. 

The Islamic Fiqh Council in its nineteenth session, which was held in the headquarters of the Muslim World League in Makkah al-Mukarramah between 22 and 27 Shawwaal 1428 AH (3 to 8 November 2007 CE) has examined the issue of “Participation of Muslims in elections with non-Muslims in non-Muslim countries.” This is one of the topics on which discussion was deferred in the sixteenth conference which was held between 21 and 26 Shawwaal 1422 AH in order that it may be examined more thoroughly. 

After listening to the research that was presented and the discussions concerning it, the Council has determined the following: 

1. Muslim participation in elections with non-Muslims in a non-Muslim country is one of the shar’i political matters in which the ruling is determined in the light of weighing up the pros and cons, and fatwas concerning it differ according to time, place and circumstances. 

2. it is permissible for a Muslim who enjoys the rights of citizenship in a non-Muslim country to take part in elections and the like because it is more likely that his participation will bring benefits such as presenting a true picture of Islam, defending Muslim issues in that country, supporting the rights of religious and other minorities, strengthening their role in circles of influence, and cooperating with reasonable, fair-minded people on a basis of truth and justice. That should be in accordance with the following guidelines: 

(a)        The Muslim participants should intend thereby to serve the interests of the Muslims and ward off evil and harm from them.

(b)        The Muslim participants should think it most likely that their participation will have positive effects that will benefit the Muslims in that country, such as supporting their position, conveying their requests to the decision makers and those who are in charge of the country, and protecting their religious and worldly interests.

(c)       The Muslim’s participation in these elections should not lead to him neglecting his religious duties. 

           Also no one should imagine that anyone who says that it is OK to vote is thereby expressing approval or support for kufr. It is done in the interests of the Muslims, not out of love for kufr and its people.

            The Muslims rejoiced when the Romans defeated the Persians, as did the Muslims in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) when the Negus defeated those who had challenged his authority.

            This is well known from history. Whoever wants to be on the safe side and abstain from voting is allowed to do so. This response applies only to elections for influential positions. And Allaah knows best

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessing and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad (saaws)

Source :

http://www.themwl.org/Fatwa/default.aspx?d=1&cidi=167&l=AR&cid=17