To Whom Should the Vote Be Given

Question

Question: What is the ruling on voting for the Communist Party of India in this democratic country? If a Muslim votes for this party, will he be a violator of the words: [ar]تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ[/ar] “Help one another in righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression” (Surah al-Ma’ida, 5:2) — or not?

Answer

In this democratic country votes are not cast on the basis of Islam and kufr, nor are elections contested on that basis. The vote should be given to the person of whom it is expected that he will render proper service, bring benefit, secure rights and stop oppression; and the vote should be given to the party of which this is expected.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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