Islamic Sharia was sent because Democracy is not good enough: Sheikh Sameer

Sheikh Ahmed Sameer Ibrahim has said that Democracy existed in the world even before Islam, and that God sent Islamic Sharia because Democracy fails to function well in society.

Preaching at a gathering organised by Jamiyyathu Salaf, Sheikh Sameer said that Sharia was sent for people to realise and believe that there is no God but Allah.

“People shall not believe in their own philosophies and ideologies, if they do, there is no need for Sharia, because even if the Sharia, Prophets or Quran were not sent to the people, they will believe what they want. People will discuss issues among themselves and follow what the majority wants,” Sheikh Sameer said. He also said that before Islamic Sharia was sent, people based their decisions on discussing issues with each other, and he questioned if this is not the meaning of democracy.

Giving examples, Sheikh Sameer said that when the Prophet Mohamed first started preaching about his revelations in Mecca, 14 members of the 6 tribes existing in Mecca at that time held a meeting to decide on how the Prophet should be dealt with. After three or four different opinions were expressed, one was chosen and that was to put the Prophet to death. He also said that if we think about this situation, it does not conflict with the ideology of democracy in any way.

“Isn’t this democracy? This does not contradict the meaning of democracy as defined by its founders, that is, those people made a decision by themselves, a decision which is unjust and without God’s judgement,” he said.

Sheikh Sameer said that while a democracy means that every issue can be discussed, punishments included in the Sharia should not be open to debate. He further said that people do not have the right to oppose the Sharia.

He noted that with the Maldives having become democratic, debates have started on punishments clearly defined by God. One punishment clearly indicated in the Quran is being implemented in two different ways. And while we believe that whether to fast or not cannot be discussed, the issue of death penalty is open to discussion.

Sheikh Sameer said that as a muslim, one cannot question whether or not to implement punishments sent by God.

“Discussion as defined by Islam and as defined by democracy are two completely different things, because in democracy any issue can be discussed, by anyone; whereas in Islam not every issue can be discussed, and only people who are knowledgeable in a certain field can hold a discussion on that particular issue,” Sheikh Sameer said.

A massive crowd gathered at Artificial beach to listen to tonight’s preaching.