Question
In my country, Iran, my people are living under a dictatorship. The So-called Islamic republic is killing my people. Are these people true Muslims?
Answer
Atrocities of the rulers shall be among the gravest of sins in the accounts of these rulers, on the Day of Judgment. Nevertheless, it is beyond our jurisdiction, even in the face of extreme atrocities, to declare someone a non-Muslim.
The most that a student of Islam like myself can offer are comments as to whether or not a particular action or a particular system is in accordance with the teachings of Islam. I can, in no case, judge either the intentions or the truthfulness or otherwise of a person’s faith and belief.
As for dictatorships, the political setup prescribed by Islam is one based on consultation among Muslims. No one person has the right to overrule the opinion of the majority of those living in the land. This point sufficiently refutes the opinion that a dictatorship is acceptable to Islam.
I hope this helps.
Moiz Amjad
UIUK team
November 27, 2001
Views: 418