Freedom and self-governance in Islamic discourse on democracy

Abstract

Islamic discourse on democracy can be described as diversified and complex due to the offering of different views and perspectives by progressive Muslim scholars on the relationship between Islam and democracy. The views are often mixed, some are positive while others sceptical and rigid. This article discusses the concepts of theo-democracy, popular vice regency and faraghaat that posit important ideas such as freedom and self-governance, providing the very foundation to the understanding of the relationship between Islam and democracy. Such concepts define and explain the links between Islam and democracy, their limitations and compatibility especially in areas pertaining to constitutional sovereignty, the sources of law and regulations, the nature of government and the concept of freedom. This article concludes that the democratic elements in Islam, which are freedom and self-governance, have been able to support the Islamic discourse on democracy.