Following the dramatic change over of the government of Pakistan on 12th Oct.99, question of the return of democracy in Pakistan , has assumed new dimension. Can Chief  Executive practice a new form of democracy while still remaining its Chief in a Islamic republic?
        It is  surprising that nobody has yet defined the concept of democracy in Islam.
        The unislamic concept of democracy was defined a  few centuries ago as Government of the people

            By the people
            For the people.

        It has been working in one form or the other England, USA and some other countries. Religion had been relegated to as a strictly personal matter.
        In Islam, the concept of the government can be described as:

            Government of Allah
            For Allah
            By the Muttaqee people

        A Muslim follows Quran and Sunna and runs the state in the light and guidance of Quran and Sunna and elects or selects a man who is the most suitable Muttaqee who along with the elected and selected representatives. (who are themselves Muttaqee) runs the state affairs.

        A Muttaqee is described in Al-Baqera Iyat 177 (translation by Abdulla Yousaf Ali as
        “To believe in Allah, the last day and the Angels and the Books and the Messengers”

        To spend your substance out of love for Him .For the Kin, For orphans For the needy, For the wayfever and for those  who ask and for the ransom of slaves. To be steadfast in prayer, and patience pay regular charity (Zakat)
        To fulfil the contracts (Amanat, promises) which you have made and to be firm and patient in pain or suffering. And adversity and through out all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God, fearing (Mutteqee).

        In Pakistan  , so far we have seen

            Government of one
            For Few
            By one.

        Although, we had elections but the affairs of the state were run by one man for the few corrupt and not for all the citizens of the country.
        Can the present government develop a system which works for Allah for the good of people.
        The purpose of Allah’s guidance is that we utilize our intelligence, skills and earthly resources for the good of the people within the frame-work and guidelines of Quran and Sunna.
        What ever form it may take to run affairs of the state, the basic principals of Islam must remain paramount.
        The laws and guidance of Allah cannot be amended or altered. However implementation of Quran and Sunna may require different methods and procedures according to the time but it must conform and stay within the value systems of Quran.

        I may give one or two basic and fundamental illustrations to explain may view point.

        1.     A clear and easily understood point is the example of Defence. Muslims must remain strong and vigilant and must be fully prepared to face the enemies of Islam. (see Surra Infaal 166)

        Quran gives a frame work and value system for this. However for this preparation we need ongoing knowledge and skills to implement it. For achieving this aim, we need the participation of Muslims all over the world. The elected head and the representatives must evolve a system of preparation and implementation according to the time and need. Peoples representatives task is to make sure to fulfil contract with Allah.

        1)     To achieve this goal we need a healthy and well nourished nation of peoples. It can only be done if we have a system to achieve it.

        2)     To be well nourished nation, we have not only to develop adequate policies for the needs of the capable people but also for the needs of the people who are not so bestowed with skills. We need financial systems which cater for the people within the guidelines and framework of Quran and Sunna.

        We also need a system for the distribution of Zakat which eliminates the poverty trap and develops the self preserving skills of the deserving people.
        Thus the work of the democratically elected people is well defined by Allah . But needs concentrated efforts by suitable representatives.
        Is it democracy or Allah’s government?