Islamic leadership; Democracy or Shura?
- Vox Dei et Vox Populi -
Prologue
In the form of leadership, Aristotle mentioned that there are 3 types of forms, including monarchy
(led by a king), aristocracy (led by minority groups) and democracy (led by the will of the majority).
Indonesia is a country that adheres to a democratic leadership system in which every direction, regulation
or law, and leadership determination is decided through the system.
While in Islam, the term democracy is often associated with the word Shura, as stated in Surah al-
Shura verse 38:
اه ْم يُْن ِف ُقو َن ِ َّ استَ َجابُوا لَِرِّبِِ ْم َوأَقَ ُاموا ِ
ُ َور ٰى بَْي نَ ُه ْم َوِمَّا َرَزقْ ن
َ الص ََلةَ َوأ َْمُرُه ْم ُش َ َوالَّذ
ْ ين
And those who accept the call of their Lord and establish prayers, while their affairs are decided by
deliberation among them; and they provided for a portion of the sustenance that We gave them.
The above verse explains that the problems that humans experience must be decided by
deliberation. In addition, this verse is often the basis for the general public to implement a democratic
system which at first glance seems to have the same meaning as the word shura in the Qur'an. In general,
the general public understands the word shura as the same as democracy which is usually used by
government people or in deciding a matter.
In addition, the debate that has been going on for a long time is about the shura system and
democracy in the application of Islamic leadership. Are there similarities and differences between the two
where shura comes from the conception of Islamic thinkers, while democracy emerges from the west? So
which one deserves to be used as a leadership system in Islam?
The Concept of Democracy
1. Understanding
Democracy comes from the Greek language which consists of two words, namely the word demos
which means community and the word kratos which means rule. The term was first coined by Herbetus in
the 5th century BC who was a Greek historian. According to Pericles, he defined democracy into several
criteria, first, a government elected by the people with the people participating directly in government,
second, all aspects of society are equal before the law, and third, pluralism, which is respecting all desires,
interests, talents and views1.
Meanwhile, in KBBI, democracy has two meanings, namely (1) a form or system of government
in which all the people participate in ruling with the intermediary of their representatives, and (2) ideas or
views of life that prioritize equal rights and obligations and equal treatment for citizens2. In other words,
democracy is a system of government that involves the people directly with representatives who uphold
freedom.
The understanding of experts regarding democracy is as follows3:
1 Muhammad Ichsan, “Demokrasi Dan Syura: Perspektif Islam Dan Barat,” Subtantia 16, no. 1 (2014). Page 2
2 KBBI Software October 2023 edition
3 Mochamad Parmudi, “Islam dan demokrasi di Indonesia (dalam perspektif pengembangan pemikiran politik Islam)”
(Semarang, 2014), https://eprints.walisongo.ac.id/id/eprint/3948. p. 45
1|Page
, 1. According to Joseph Schmeter, democracy is a constitutional planning to reach a verdict in which
each individual gains the power to fight for his people.
2. According to Sidney Hook, democracy is a form of government in which all government decisions,
either directly or indirectly, are given to the majority independently of the people.
3. According to Philippe C. Schmitter, democracy is a form of government in which the government
is responsible for its actions towards the public and cooperates with elected representatives.
4. According to Henry B. Mayo, democracy is a state system whose policies are regulated on the basis
of a majority of elected representatives who are supervised by the people in periodic elections with
the principle of political equality and guaranteed political freedom.
From the above understandings, it can be stated that democracy provides a wide and free
opportunity for the general public to always struggle and voice their voices so that they get their rights and
obligations as citizens and the community is given freedom in politics in a wide public space regardless of
'who he is'.
Democracy in the government system has the goal of creating a prosperous, just and prosperous
community life by prioritizing justice, honesty and openness. Democracy also provides freedom of
expression and view, creates equality and togetherness, and encourages people to actively supervise and
limit the government4.
Thus, democracy has transparency in government because the community is involved in deciding
and supervising its representatives and the government. In addition, democracy also makes it possible to
limit the government's movements if its representatives or leaders do things that are unfaithful or excessive
to their people or even thirsty for power and sovereignty in a democratic country in the hands of the
people.
Democracy has a basic idea in a government; that is, the recognition and nature of human beings.
Human beings have the same ability in social relations, so the government should recognize the
participation of the people in politics, for example in the election of people's representatives or even to
the level of the president in a transparent and honest manner. The second is about human nature, namely
by safeguarding human rights and obligations and attaching importance to common prosperity 5.
2. Principles of Democracy
The main principle of democracy is the freedom of the people to voice their aspirations in
government and social political policies. In addition, this principle is the benchmark of a democratic
country. Whether the country accepts the aspirations of the people or not. In addition, according to
Almadudi, there are several points of democratic principles, including6:
1. People's sovereignty
2. Government based on public consent
3. The majority has power
4. Minorities have their rights
5. Guarantee of human rights
6. Free, fair and honest elections
7. Equality before the law
4 Annisa Humaira, “Konsep Negara Demokrasi,” 2021. Page 5
5 Thomas T Pureklolon, Demokrasi Dan Politik: Menelisik Dinamika Kekuasaan Sosial, Budaya dan Pancasila, 1 ed. (Malang: Intrans
Publishing, 2019). Page 2
6 Pureklolon. Page 3
2|Page
- Vox Dei et Vox Populi -
Prologue
In the form of leadership, Aristotle mentioned that there are 3 types of forms, including monarchy
(led by a king), aristocracy (led by minority groups) and democracy (led by the will of the majority).
Indonesia is a country that adheres to a democratic leadership system in which every direction, regulation
or law, and leadership determination is decided through the system.
While in Islam, the term democracy is often associated with the word Shura, as stated in Surah al-
Shura verse 38:
اه ْم يُْن ِف ُقو َن ِ َّ استَ َجابُوا لَِرِّبِِ ْم َوأَقَ ُاموا ِ
ُ َور ٰى بَْي نَ ُه ْم َوِمَّا َرَزقْ ن
َ الص ََلةَ َوأ َْمُرُه ْم ُش َ َوالَّذ
ْ ين
And those who accept the call of their Lord and establish prayers, while their affairs are decided by
deliberation among them; and they provided for a portion of the sustenance that We gave them.
The above verse explains that the problems that humans experience must be decided by
deliberation. In addition, this verse is often the basis for the general public to implement a democratic
system which at first glance seems to have the same meaning as the word shura in the Qur'an. In general,
the general public understands the word shura as the same as democracy which is usually used by
government people or in deciding a matter.
In addition, the debate that has been going on for a long time is about the shura system and
democracy in the application of Islamic leadership. Are there similarities and differences between the two
where shura comes from the conception of Islamic thinkers, while democracy emerges from the west? So
which one deserves to be used as a leadership system in Islam?
The Concept of Democracy
1. Understanding
Democracy comes from the Greek language which consists of two words, namely the word demos
which means community and the word kratos which means rule. The term was first coined by Herbetus in
the 5th century BC who was a Greek historian. According to Pericles, he defined democracy into several
criteria, first, a government elected by the people with the people participating directly in government,
second, all aspects of society are equal before the law, and third, pluralism, which is respecting all desires,
interests, talents and views1.
Meanwhile, in KBBI, democracy has two meanings, namely (1) a form or system of government
in which all the people participate in ruling with the intermediary of their representatives, and (2) ideas or
views of life that prioritize equal rights and obligations and equal treatment for citizens2. In other words,
democracy is a system of government that involves the people directly with representatives who uphold
freedom.
The understanding of experts regarding democracy is as follows3:
1 Muhammad Ichsan, “Demokrasi Dan Syura: Perspektif Islam Dan Barat,” Subtantia 16, no. 1 (2014). Page 2
2 KBBI Software October 2023 edition
3 Mochamad Parmudi, “Islam dan demokrasi di Indonesia (dalam perspektif pengembangan pemikiran politik Islam)”
(Semarang, 2014), https://eprints.walisongo.ac.id/id/eprint/3948. p. 45
1|Page
, 1. According to Joseph Schmeter, democracy is a constitutional planning to reach a verdict in which
each individual gains the power to fight for his people.
2. According to Sidney Hook, democracy is a form of government in which all government decisions,
either directly or indirectly, are given to the majority independently of the people.
3. According to Philippe C. Schmitter, democracy is a form of government in which the government
is responsible for its actions towards the public and cooperates with elected representatives.
4. According to Henry B. Mayo, democracy is a state system whose policies are regulated on the basis
of a majority of elected representatives who are supervised by the people in periodic elections with
the principle of political equality and guaranteed political freedom.
From the above understandings, it can be stated that democracy provides a wide and free
opportunity for the general public to always struggle and voice their voices so that they get their rights and
obligations as citizens and the community is given freedom in politics in a wide public space regardless of
'who he is'.
Democracy in the government system has the goal of creating a prosperous, just and prosperous
community life by prioritizing justice, honesty and openness. Democracy also provides freedom of
expression and view, creates equality and togetherness, and encourages people to actively supervise and
limit the government4.
Thus, democracy has transparency in government because the community is involved in deciding
and supervising its representatives and the government. In addition, democracy also makes it possible to
limit the government's movements if its representatives or leaders do things that are unfaithful or excessive
to their people or even thirsty for power and sovereignty in a democratic country in the hands of the
people.
Democracy has a basic idea in a government; that is, the recognition and nature of human beings.
Human beings have the same ability in social relations, so the government should recognize the
participation of the people in politics, for example in the election of people's representatives or even to
the level of the president in a transparent and honest manner. The second is about human nature, namely
by safeguarding human rights and obligations and attaching importance to common prosperity 5.
2. Principles of Democracy
The main principle of democracy is the freedom of the people to voice their aspirations in
government and social political policies. In addition, this principle is the benchmark of a democratic
country. Whether the country accepts the aspirations of the people or not. In addition, according to
Almadudi, there are several points of democratic principles, including6:
1. People's sovereignty
2. Government based on public consent
3. The majority has power
4. Minorities have their rights
5. Guarantee of human rights
6. Free, fair and honest elections
7. Equality before the law
4 Annisa Humaira, “Konsep Negara Demokrasi,” 2021. Page 5
5 Thomas T Pureklolon, Demokrasi Dan Politik: Menelisik Dinamika Kekuasaan Sosial, Budaya dan Pancasila, 1 ed. (Malang: Intrans
Publishing, 2019). Page 2
6 Pureklolon. Page 3
2|Page
