Concept of 'syura'<\/p>\n
Indeed, it is very interesting to read your \"Discourse\"
\narticle by Mochtar Buchori entitled PDI-P yet to learn about
\ndemocratic basics (The Jakarta Post, March, 28, 2000).<\/p>\n
First, \"there are some who say that it is impossible for Islam
\nto accept democracy because Islam already has a system called
\nsyura, which is regarded as being equivalent to democracy.\"<\/p>\n
Second, \"but actually, the core of democracy is the
\nsovereignty of the people whereas syura is a council of leaders
\nof the people and not the people themselves\".<\/p>\n
Apart from whether the first opinion is right or wrong, the
\nsecond view is nevertheless merely a matter of hatred countering
\nthe first.<\/p>\n
Clearly, if the first statement is right, there won't be any
\nsecond opinion. Or, if there is any, it should be supportive or
\ntestimonial to the first. Because, based on the teaching of the
\nKoran, Sunnah and Hadiths, the utmost trilogy of reference in
\nIslamic jurisprudence, undoubtedly, syura is the most reliable
\ndemocratic way to represent our grassroots people.<\/p>\n
The simplest example of this kind of fair and honest democracy
\nwas given directly by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, in the very
\nbeginning of the dawn of Islam. When the small Muslim community
\nin Madinah was threatened by the big number of unbelievers, a
\nwell equipped military force of Meccans to defend the life and
\nfuture of the universal Islamic teaching was asked by Prophet
\nMuhammad.<\/p>\n
Salman Al-Farisy proposed that a canal should be dug around
\nMadinah. In short, the Muslims were successful in their battle,
\nknown as The Canal (Khandak) Battle. This was because Prophet
\nMuhammad, although a leader of Madinah, accepted the grassroots'
\ndemands. Indeed, such thing has not been reflected at present
\ntime.<\/p>\n
Today we still can witness an example of real syura
\n(democracy) practiced in Bandung. Hundreds of jamaah at An-Nashir
\nMosque had successfully elected their quota of six persons
\nrepresentative of their Yearly National Majlis Syura. The jamaah
\nwere invited by their leader from a thousand members, based on
\ntheir undisputed righteousness within the year, such as believing
\nin the unseen, praying five times a day, regularly paying
\nChandah, Zakat, Sidqah, loyalty to humanity and the community,
\nand other almsgiving.<\/p>\n
Included in the six-person syura representatives were Pak
\nRafiq, a street vendor, and Pak Reza, a banker. The others
\nincluded a teacher, a businessman, and other professionals. So
\nthe community was well represented by the six-person syura. The
\nsyura's term is for only one year. So next year a new syura is
\nelected. There is no guarantee that the same person will be
\nreelected to the syura, however rich or clever he might be. The
\nabsolute power is in the hands of the people.<\/p>\n
Of course it would be too early to try to implement syura for
\nour political life. But at least we can socialize the idea and
\nadopt the good things of syura philosophy.<\/p>\n
MEMET M.A. SURAHMAN<\/p>\n
International Forum<\/p>\n
on Islamic Studies<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/concept-of-syura-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }