Participation of the ‘Ulama’ in Politics

Question

Question: The idea is spreading among the common people that the respected ‘ulama’ should not take part in present-day politics. Should the respected ‘ulama’ remain silent in this corrupted environment? Are the respected ‘ulama’ who are taking part in practical politics doing wrong? Is the work of the respected ‘ulama’ only to lead prayer as imams of the mosque and to teach in the madrasa, and nothing more?

Answer

This idea is not of today; it is a very old idea. Before too people used to say: “What do the ‘ulama’ have to do with politics?” The point is that a scholar (‘alim) who has the ability, by participating in politics in the proper way, will bring others round to his view, will censure what is wrong, and will present the correct course of action.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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