Question:
As-Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu
What is the ruling on participating in the municipality
(council) elections?
Answer:
Wa Alaikum As-Salam Wa Rahmatulah Wa Barakatuhu,
A. The municipality (council) elections in origin provide
services for people and administrative matters, is permissible, in this
context, but many other activities are assigned to the municipality, especially
in our countries, and they became a government apparatus that adopts the
government's policy, and brings people together for the government’s support,
as well as giving licenses to issues forbidden in Shariah.
B. The reality of the municipality is that it does not
solely carry out administrative services. It is an executive body that follows
the government in practice. It is obliged to follow any political activity set
by the authority, on top of that it deals with its own money illegally...
Therefore the Islamic ruling on it will not be based on the reality that it is
a service and administrative institution independent of political power, but it
is linked to the government apparatus, not just in nominal terms, but also in
execution, it can cancel the municipality council decisions, even if taken
unanimously ...
C. So it is not permitted to participate in the municipality
elections in this context. But if it remained in its the origin as
"administrative and service body" within the limits of the
permissible, then the participation in the elections will be permissible... In
other words, we do not participate in these elections as long as the reality of
the municipalities is as mentioned above. It is allowed to participate when
these municipalities are administrative institutions without the interference
of the political power.
Your brother,
Ata Bin Khalil Abu Al-Rashtah
12 Muharram 2016
12 October 2016
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