This verse suggests that justice is one of the main values which needs to be realized in every aspect of life, even in governance. But in the context of Islamic democracy, justice means that every individual is treated equally before the law and have an equal right to participate in governance.
In addition, general welfare (maslahah) is also an important principle in Islam, like the Prophet Muhammad once said:
"The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people". (HR: Ahmad, ath-Thabrani, ad-Daruqutni).
This hadith highlights that the common welfare of the people should be the main objective of every government policy and action. In other words, every decision and policy taken by the government should be in line with the benefits of the people. Moreover, democracy in Islam also supports the concept of trust and responsibility (Amanah). So in Islam, leaders are often seen as figures who are being relied upon to be held in trust by the community, meaning that they must carry out their duties in a way that is honest, fair and responsible. As stated in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners and when you judge between people, judge with fairness. What a noble commandment from Allah to you! Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing." (QS. An-Nisa: 58).
But In this sense, each leader must be responsible for his policies and actions not only before the people, but also before God, so that democratic principles such as transparency and openness become essential in Islamic democracy.
C. Pros and Cons of Islamic Democracy in the Modern World
The pros and cons of Islamic democracy often arise from various implementations of its principles. On the one hand, pro- Islamic democracy believers claim that the idea helps to implement the values of justice and public welfare that are in line with Islamic teachings, they believe that by the merge of modern democratic principles with traditional Islamic values, a just, inclusive, and accountable system of government can be established.
Nevertheless, there are countries that have done well in combining democratic principles with Islamic values in their systems of governance. Indonesia, for instance, with its majority Muslim population, they successfully adopted a democratic system which ensures broad political participation while still adheres to Islamic values in society. In the same way, Malaysia also has successfully merged democracy with Islamic guidelines through a comprehensive system of governance leading to the prosperity of the people.
There have also been criticisms and challenges to Islamic democracy. Some argue that the rigid application of Islamic law could be a burden on freedom of the individual as well as minorities rights. In some countries for example, restrictive interpretations of sharia have led to controversies over women's rights and religious freedom. Moreover, tensions between religious and political authorities may complicate the democracy process. Needless to say, this issue has often been the subject of controversy. For example, in Saudi Arabia and Iran, the strict application of Islamic law has often resulted in restrictions on the rights of individuals, especially the rights of women and minorities.
However, many believe that with a flexible and inclusive approach, Islamic democracy can be an effective and just model of governance for countries with a majority Muslim population. Proponents of Islamic democracy argue that principles such as shura, justice and general welfare can be adapted to meet the needs of modern societies, without compromising basic Islamic values. As such, Islamic democracy is not a rigid and closed concept, but a dynamic and adaptive model of governance, capable of responding to social and political changes in modern societies.
