Does belief in democracy and working with it expel one from the fold of Islam, whether one deems it permissible or not?
We have previously clarified the relationship between Islam and democracy. Democracy contains aspects that contradict Islam, such as giving the people the right to legislate laws that contravene the rule of Allah, and acceptable aspects, such as the right of the nation to appoint its rulers, hold them accountable, and the participation of the people in decision-making. Believing that the people have the right to legislate in a way that contradicts the Law of Allah is a major disbelief that expels one from the fold of Islam, because legislation is a right belonging to Allah alone. Allah the Almighty said: "And He shares not His legislation with anyone" (18:26), and He said: "The command is for none but Allah" (12:40). Whoever deems lawful what is unanimously agreed upon as unlawful, or deems unlawful what is unanimously agreed upon as lawful, or alters the unanimously agreed upon Law, is a disbeliever, an apostate, by the consensus of the jurists. Whoever legislates a law in which he deems lawful what is unlawful, and deems unlawful what is lawful, is guilty of major disbelief. Associating partners with Allah in His rule and associating partners with Him in His worship are both one and the same.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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