Can Muslims participate in politics

[Rainbow Mage]

I was wondering if Muslims are encouraged to engage in the politics of the countries they live in? If you live in the US Canada, etc. do you vote?

 

[Gharib]

Yes Muslims vote.

 

[Cordoba]

I was wondering if Muslims are encouraged to engage in the politics of the countries they live in? If you live in the US Canada, etc. do you vote?

Hello OP and welcome

Yes, Muslims are encouraged to take positive action in their societies, and this includes consultation (Shura) to choose the best political leaders to lead their countries

And the same applies to Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, though some schools of thought discourage their followers from participating in elections

The position of mainstream Islam as regards participating in elections in non-Muslim countries however is that Muslims citizens should be actively engaged and should participate with non-Muslim co-citizens in choosing the best candidates for political leadership

The political thought of Muslim scholars in recent years on democracy in a non-Muslim context has evolved, and leading this trend is the Tunisian scholar Rashid Al-Ghannoushi

If of interest, this is an example of his recent reform-oriented writings on freedom and politics titled (Freedom Comes First):

Freedom Comes First - Human Conditions & Social Context - Shari`ah - OnIslam.net

 

[F0uad]

Muslims are just humans like you they just have a different religion that's all.. They value the same things as you: good leaders, good education, good work and all the others things.

 

[MartyrX]

Yes Muslims can and should vote.

 

[Rational_Mind]

Muslims are just humans like you they just have a different religion that's all.. They value the same things as you: good leaders, good education, good work and all the others things.

well said

 

[Sahar]

Muslims are just humans like you they just have a different religion that's all.. They value the same things as you: good leaders, good education, good work and all the others things.

"They just have a different religion" is a significant difference that does affect the decision of taking part in elections in a given country. Muslims are like other people regarding their needs and rights but there is another consideration which is morality.
For example, should the Muslim give his voice/legitimacy to a political system that ensure its interests by weakening and fighting Muslim nations?

 

[Rational_Mind]

"They just have a different religion" is a significant difference that does affect the decision of taking part in elections in a given country. Muslims are like other people regarding their needs and rights but there is another consideration which is morality.
For example, should the Muslim give his voice/legitimacy to a political system that ensure its interests by weakening and fighting Muslim nations?

This should be a question for every faith. Freedom of faith is everyones right. We as Muslims are given a higher responsibility.

 

[F0uad]

"They just have a different religion" is a significant difference that does affect the decision of taking part in elections in a given country. Muslims are like other people regarding their needs and rights but there is another consideration which is morality.
For example, should the Muslim give his voice/legitimacy to a political system that ensure its interests by weakening and fighting Muslim nations?

I agree with your point and its supported by Hadiths and the Quran that a muslim should not fight a muslim but protect him nor that we should help the enemy of a other muslim.

So for American muslims they should have vote for Ron Paul and not a Obama or Romney.