Whom to Vote?
By: Najmul Huda Qasmi
The Writer is pursuing Graduation at Cotton University Guwahati, Assam.
Voting is a solemn fiduciary duty and its proper use is a national and Islamic responsibility for all the citizens in a democratic country, as it is mentioned under the Article 326, that the constitution of India grants it’s all Citizens the right to vote and choose their own representatives. Just as the Election Commission has the responsibility to make every possible effort to keep the elections clean and transparent, it is an even greater responsibility for the common people and the voters to use their votes as a entrusted responsibilities. The purpose of voting is to elect people of pure character who are well-wishers of the country, caring for the country’s interest, survival and stability of the nation.
Maulana Mufti Shafi Rahmatullah Alaihi described in Ma’arif- Al-Qur’an (Volume II) about the verse, “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” (4:58) Although the revelation of the verse is in view of a special event, its command is general and its observance is to be followed by the entire ummah. That is, Allah Almighty orders you to fulfill the trusts placed upon them. In the same way, voting is also a trust, whoever has a trust in his hands, it is necessary for him to deliver it to its owner and the deserving people. And the meaning of Hadith refers to that, “when you see that the responsibility has been entrusted to people who are not qualified for it, then wait for the Doomsday.” Now everyone should utilise their vote by assessing that the one who is going in favor of my vote, deserves it or not? Is he worthy of this responsibility and will he faithfully perform the duties or not?
Votes and Voters; there are several stages for voting for a candidate according to the Qur’an and Hadith. The first one is to give witness. That means, the voter witnesses by his vote that the selected candidate is trustworthy and he has the ability for the purpose. If it is not so, and the voter knowingly votes for him, then it is a false witness which is a biggest sin and crime in this world and the Hereafter.
The second one is the intercession and the recommendation that the voter recommends for the representative. Allah Almighty says, in the glorious Qur’an: “Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will bear its consequences. And ever is Allah, over all things, a Keeper.” (4:85)
A good recommendation is to recommend a competent and honest person who will properly fulfill the rights and needs of humanity. And the bad intercession is to intercede the incompetent, unworthy, transgressors and oppressors, as if he is imposed on God’s creation. Here it is understood that the good or bad deeds of the successful candidate with our votes during his five-year term will be considered as our partner.
The third one is to support the candidate. Since advocacy is related to rights in which the whole nation shares with him. Therefore, if an ineligible person is made successful by voting for his representative, then the sin of violating the rights of the entire nation will also be on his head.
In short, voting in elections is at least a testimony, which is forbidden to hide, and it is also forbidden to lie about it, and to take any compensation for it is an unforgivable offense. It is the worst form of bribery and rebellion against the country and the nation for the sake of a few bucks. It is a big mistake to think that it is just a game of this world. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “He who loses his religion for the sake of another’s world is the one who loses his faith and belief.”
Proper use of vote is a crucial and important need especially in India in this ongoing election to save the country and its democracy from mobocracy and long-term dictatorship.
It is hoped that in the upcoming parliamentary election on May 7th, 2024, we, the people of Assam, will use our votes wisely and elect a worthy leader whose contributions will help in safeguarding democracy and the constitution, and who will work in favor of public welfare and humanitarian causes.
Note: The article is the personal opinion expressed by the writer.
