Concept of 'syura'
Concept of 'syura'
Indeed, it is very interesting to read your "Discourse"
article by Mochtar Buchori entitled PDI-P yet to learn about
democratic basics (The Jakarta Post, March, 28, 2000).
First, "there are some who say that it is impossible for Islam
to accept democracy because Islam already has a system called
syura, which is regarded as being equivalent to democracy."
Second, "but actually, the core of democracy is the
sovereignty of the people whereas syura is a council of leaders
of the people and not the people themselves".
Apart from whether the first opinion is right or wrong, the
second view is nevertheless merely a matter of hatred countering
the first.
Clearly, if the first statement is right, there won't be any
second opinion. Or, if there is any, it should be supportive or
testimonial to the first. Because, based on the teaching of the
Koran, Sunnah and Hadiths, the utmost trilogy of reference in
Islamic jurisprudence, undoubtedly, syura is the most reliable
democratic way to represent our grassroots people.
The simplest example of this kind of fair and honest democracy
was given directly by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, in the very
beginning of the dawn of Islam. When the small Muslim community
in Madinah was threatened by the big number of unbelievers, a
well equipped military force of Meccans to defend the life and
future of the universal Islamic teaching was asked by Prophet
Muhammad.
Salman Al-Farisy proposed that a canal should be dug around
Madinah. In short, the Muslims were successful in their battle,
known as The Canal (Khandak) Battle. This was because Prophet
Muhammad, although a leader of Madinah, accepted the grassroots'
demands. Indeed, such thing has not been reflected at present
time.
Today we still can witness an example of real syura
(democracy) practiced in Bandung. Hundreds of jamaah at An-Nashir
Mosque had successfully elected their quota of six persons
representative of their Yearly National Majlis Syura. The jamaah
were invited by their leader from a thousand members, based on
their undisputed righteousness within the year, such as believing
in the unseen, praying five times a day, regularly paying
Chandah, Zakat, Sidqah, loyalty to humanity and the community,
and other almsgiving.
Included in the six-person syura representatives were Pak
Rafiq, a street vendor, and Pak Reza, a banker. The others
included a teacher, a businessman, and other professionals. So
the community was well represented by the six-person syura. The
syura's term is for only one year. So next year a new syura is
elected. There is no guarantee that the same person will be
reelected to the syura, however rich or clever he might be. The
absolute power is in the hands of the people.
Of course it would be too early to try to implement syura for
our political life. But at least we can socialize the idea and
adopt the good things of syura philosophy.
MEMET M.A. SURAHMAN
International Forum
on Islamic Studies
Jakarta
Indeed, it is very interesting to read your "Discourse"
article by Mochtar Buchori entitled PDI-P yet to learn about
democratic basics (The Jakarta Post, March, 28, 2000).
First, "there are some who say that it is impossible for Islam
to accept democracy because Islam already has a system called
syura, which is regarded as being equivalent to democracy."
Second, "but actually, the core of democracy is the
sovereignty of the people whereas syura is a council of leaders
of the people and not the people themselves".
Apart from whether the first opinion is right or wrong, the
second view is nevertheless merely a matter of hatred countering
the first.
Clearly, if the first statement is right, there won't be any
second opinion. Or, if there is any, it should be supportive or
testimonial to the first. Because, based on the teaching of the
Koran, Sunnah and Hadiths, the utmost trilogy of reference in
Islamic jurisprudence, undoubtedly, syura is the most reliable
democratic way to represent our grassroots people.
The simplest example of this kind of fair and honest democracy
was given directly by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, in the very
beginning of the dawn of Islam. When the small Muslim community
in Madinah was threatened by the big number of unbelievers, a
well equipped military force of Meccans to defend the life and
future of the universal Islamic teaching was asked by Prophet
Muhammad.
Salman Al-Farisy proposed that a canal should be dug around
Madinah. In short, the Muslims were successful in their battle,
known as The Canal (Khandak) Battle. This was because Prophet
Muhammad, although a leader of Madinah, accepted the grassroots'
demands. Indeed, such thing has not been reflected at present
time.
Today we still can witness an example of real syura
(democracy) practiced in Bandung. Hundreds of jamaah at An-Nashir
Mosque had successfully elected their quota of six persons
representative of their Yearly National Majlis Syura. The jamaah
were invited by their leader from a thousand members, based on
their undisputed righteousness within the year, such as believing
in the unseen, praying five times a day, regularly paying
Chandah, Zakat, Sidqah, loyalty to humanity and the community,
and other almsgiving.
Included in the six-person syura representatives were Pak
Rafiq, a street vendor, and Pak Reza, a banker. The others
included a teacher, a businessman, and other professionals. So
the community was well represented by the six-person syura. The
syura's term is for only one year. So next year a new syura is
elected. There is no guarantee that the same person will be
reelected to the syura, however rich or clever he might be. The
absolute power is in the hands of the people.
Of course it would be too early to try to implement syura for
our political life. But at least we can socialize the idea and
adopt the good things of syura philosophy.
MEMET M.A. SURAHMAN
International Forum
on Islamic Studies
Jakarta