Can Islam and Democracy Coexist? A 2025 Perspective

[Urvashi]

After Tunisia’s political regression, some question if Islam is compatible with liberal democracy.
What examples counter this narrative, and why are they often ignored?

 

[Nomad]

If you bring in religion in politics, it will create divide and there will be no freedom at all. Not just Islam, other religions too do not give much importance to personal freedom that is being guaranteed by democracy.

 

[Greatearner]

If you bring in religion in politics, it will create divide and there will be no freedom at all. Not just Islam, other religions too do not give much importance to personal freedom that is being guaranteed by democracy.

After Tunisia’s political regression, some question if Islam is compatible with liberal democracy.
What examples counter this narrative, and why are they often ignored?

@Nomad and @Urvashi - This is a totally incorrect claim. I am a Muslim and our Islamic religion does offer each and every individual his and her rights and freedom. Non-Muslims also have their own rights in Islam and we know that caliph Umar gave Non-Muslims their rights (See the quote below which I attached). This includes Non-Muslims who were under Caliph Umar's caliphate. If you read history, then you will know that Islam treated Non-Muslims in a much better way as compared to how other religions treated unbelievers. For example, Muslims (Mughals) have ruled india and they protected the rights of Non-Muslims. Unfortunately, Muslims are not bing treated in the right manner in india today. We have an incident of Caliph Umar from our sources as I have attached below:-

Umar bin al-Khattab passed by an old man begging. He asked him: “To which of the People of the Book do you belong?” He said: “I am a Jew.” He replied: “What has compelled you to that which I see?” He said: “I am begging in order to pay the jizya [head tax] and on account of my need and old age.” Then ‘Umar got hold of his hand, took him to his house and gave him something from his home, then sent him to the treasurer of the Bayt al-Mal [State Treasury] and said: “Take care of this man and other similar men. By Allah, we have not done justice to him that we ate (jizya) from him when he was young but we forsook him when he was old. Verily, the alms are for the poor and destitute. The poor are the Muslims and this one is a destitute from the People of the Book.” So he removed the jizya from him. Abu Bakr said, “I have witnessed this (incident) of ‘Umar [Kitab Al-Kharaj, page no. 253 to 254]

 

[Nomad]

This is a totally incorrect claim

Democracy, as the concept created by ancient Greek, and Cleisthenes as a father of democracy, is totally different concept than religion. I am not talking about particular religion, but all religion as we know it. If you take a look of all religions state, including Islamic states, do you really see democracy as defined by Abraham Lincoln. (Of the people, by the people, for the people)

 

[Greatearner]

Democracy, as the concept created by ancient Greek, and Cleisthenes as a father of democracy, is totally different concept than religion. I am not talking about particular religion, but all religion as we know it. If you take a look of all religions state, including Islamic states, do you really see democracy as defined by Abraham Lincoln. (Of the people, by the people, for the people)

Are you sure Cleisthenes included everyone when it comes to democracy? As far as I have read, Cleisthenes excluded foreigners (and a few other people) when it comes to gaining citizenship. Cleisthenes barred foreigners from obtaining citizenship

So, Islamic democracy is far much better than that of abraham lincoln's or Cleisthenes' concept of democracy because Islam grants freedom and right to each and every citizen.

There are many Muslim countries that grant citizenship to many foreigners, regardless of their religious beliefs.

I live in a Muslim country and many Non-Muslim citizens are citizens of our country. They are provided equal rights. They can vote during elections as well.

A few Muslim countries do not offer citizenship to foreigners, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Islamic religion.

My Muslim country does offer citizenship to non-Muslims. In fact, majority of Muslim countries do offer citizenship to many non-Muslims.

 

[Nomad]

Are you sure Cleisthenes included everyone when it comes to democracy? As far as I have read, Cleisthenes excluded foreigners (and a few other people) when it comes to gaining citizenship. Cleisthenes barred foreigners from obtaining citizenship

Those were different times, they talked about democracy and freedom but they involved in slavery. We cannot compare those times with the present situation. I was only trying to evaluate theory implementation in the modern societies. We sure can go on and on about how good or even bad a certain religion can be but based on my study of religion and social anthropology, I see religion being little far form democracy.