Hadi declares voting an Islamic obligation, warns against indifference

 

In a lengthy Facebook post today, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang declared that voting is a religious obligation for every Malaysian Muslim.

He said abstaining from voting or selling one’s vote reflects a disease of political indifference that has allowed Islamic political power to be seized.

Hadi argued that Allah created mankind for three overarching purposes: to worship (ibadat), to serve as stewards of the earth (khalifah), and to faithfully implement Allah’s just laws (amanah).

He contended that political governance falls within all three, making it inseparable from the practice of Islam.

Drawing on Surah al-Zariyat, Hadi broadened the concept of worship beyond prayer and fasting, arguing that submission to Allah entails compliance with His laws in all worldly affairs, including politics and governance.

On political leadership, Hadi cited the Quranic concept of khalifah, which he explicitly defined as political leadership, referring to Surah al-Baqarah, where Allah informs the angels of His intention to appoint a khalifah on earth.

He also noted that the Prophet Muhammad served as head of state. After the Prophet’s passing, Hadi said, most of his companions gathered at Saqifah Bani Sa’idah to select a successor, while only a small number remained at his burial site.

“Going out to vote in the practice of democracy is fulfilling the obligation of choosing a leader in one’s respective locality,” Hadi said.

‘Secularism deviant doctrine’

To reinforce the point, he invoked the Islamic legal principle: “That without which an obligation cannot be fulfilled is itself obligatory“, likening voting to ablution before prayer.

He argued that just as ablution becomes compulsory when required for prayer, voting becomes even more obligatory when non-Muslims can elect non-Muslim leaders or when those who betray Islam and the Muslim community could come to power.

Hadi also rejected the separation of religion and politics, describing secularism as a deviant doctrine.

“This gave the colonialists the opportunity to implement their administration by handing over the affairs of governance to the colonisers, whilst the Muslims did not interfere in religious affairs from which political teachings had been denied,” he said.

Hadi added that Malay Muslims are obliged to unite in choosing Malay Muslim leaders, as well as non-Muslim leaders who are not extremists.

“(Malay Muslims) are obliged to reject non-Muslims who are extreme in opposing Islam and who are planning to seize control of the nation, joining forces with Malays who are liberal and who have no love for their own religion and their own people,” he added.

Scrutiny over haj remarks

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In April last year, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) announced it was reviewing remarks by Hadi after he claimed that voting to secure political victory for Islam takes precedence over performing the haj.

Hadi made the remarks while campaigning in the Ayer Kuning by-election.

Without naming Hadi but referring to media reports of his comments, Jakim director-general Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the review was intended to ensure Muslims clearly understood the place of haj and umrah in Islam.

He said the Federal Territories Mufti Department and other relevant authorities would conduct the review.

Performing haj, for Muslims who are financially and physically able, is one of Islam’s five pillars, alongside the syahadah (profession of faith), the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and paying zakat (alms). - Mkini