Shura is an Arabic word for consultation and it is this that forms part of the four cardinal principles (human dignity justice and equality) in the Islamic organisation of social policys and politics. It was a method that the pre Islamic tribes of the Middle East would use to make major affecting decisions. The term Shura is mentioned several times in the holy Quran and is also used as a name in parliaments of Muslim majority countries. “Consultation applies to the choice of the head of state as well as to all the decisions executed by the state." (Waines, 2009)
Muslims believe that all decisions should be made by and for society by the Shura of the local surrounding community. Traditionally Islam requires submission to the ruler no matter how that ruler is chosen, as long as that ruler rules according to Islamic or Sharia law. Shura is also mentioned in the holy Quran. (Incidentally the 42nd sura of the holy Quran is known as the Shura sura.) “and those who answer the call of their lord and establish prayer and whose affair being a matter of counsel among themselves and who spend of that wherewith we have provided them :”( Q. 42:38) The 159th verse of the 3rd sura gives instruction to the profit Mohamed (pbuh) to consult with followers of Islam when dealing with difficult situations or problems.
There were many debates, disagreements and problems over and involving Shura and they began with who should succeed after the prophets Mohamed (pbuh) death in 632 CE. The situation began with a fraught meeting at Saqifah and as a result Abu Bakr was selected to succeed the prophet as leader of the Muslim world. But this selection threw up problems simply because the consultation meeting did not include some of the prophet’s companions ...
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On the Harmony of Religion and Philosophy gives us insight to the philosophical views of a certain sect of Islam, and how it influenced it 's followers to view the world around them. Although it is helpful, this is written from a very biased position and it cannot be said that the views of the author are the views of Muslim culture as a whole. There is a constant attack on another religious group throughout the article that helps us to understand what this specific sect deems right and wrong through comparison of the groups.
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