Democratic Islam or Democratic Muslims? Political Freedom through the Eyes of Islam
Dr. Hani A. M. Akhorashida, Rami Inkheili

Abstract
The aim of this essay is to highlight the concept of political freedom in Islam and the present the practices that proves the practices that give evidence of this argument. This essay spots the similarities and differences between the Islamic and the modern examples of political freedom, the concepts of Shura 'consultation' and Democracy were some clear examples stating those similarities and differences. The essay also presents the subject according to two different schools of Islamic thought, the traditional and the early and mid-twentieth century schools of Islamic thought. The latter was also presented according to different discourses, the quite radical presented by Sayyid Qutb and the less radical discourse with Malek Bennabi as the pioneer of this discourse in modern Islamic thought. Finally, this essay will defend the fact that political freedoms are secured in Islam through verses of the Holy Quran, situations from the early ages of Islam and readings from the past and present.

Full Text: PDF