For several weeks the promotion for the elections, expected to take place at the end of April, is in full swing and at all levels: politicians (government and parliament), religious authorities, and others; as if it is the curative balm and appropriate medicine for the sufferings of this country, which is stricken with a group of people whom Allah has removed any feelings of responsibility towards this afflicted Ummah from their hearts.

This propaganda coincides with a ruthless military campaign waged by the Iraqi government headed by Al-Maliki against many provinces and cities with the pretext of fighting terrorism!

This propaganda comes at a time when the basic necessities to lead a dignified life are absent which are highlighted in the candidates' election slogans, like: establishing security, fighting terrorism and corruption, provision of services, as well as to end the strife of ethnic and sectarian division, among others.

But isn't the majority if not all of the candidates the same members of the current serving government and its old parliament?

Didn't these same old faces raise the same old slogans in the past election round?

Are the past years not sufficient for the people to realize the reality of these promises, and that they are like a mirage when the thirsty sees water?

This is the reality of the candidates, as for the Shariah ruling on these elections:

Election linguistically means a test; its reality is an appointment or representation; elections are not an end but a means to find out who do the people want to represent them on a specific matter. Representation in Islam takes the ruling of what it is sought for; if it is over a halal issue, then it is halal but if the representation is for a haram issue then the ruling is haram.

If we look at the reality of these elections, we find that they are taking place under a democratic capitalist system, were the legislation belongs to man not Allah (swt). This is the greatest of sins as explained in the Shariah in definite texts with definite meaning; including the saying of Allah (swt):

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أنهمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلاَلاً بَعِيدًا ` وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى مَا أَنزَلَ اللهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْكَ صُدُودًا

"Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taghut, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray. And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion." [An-Nisa': 60-61]

This includes the rest of the parliament's obligations, which include electing a president for the country who do not rule by the Shariah of Allah Azza wa Jal. They entrust a ministry that will rule by other than what Allah has revealed; they account the ruler according to a man-made constitution; and others. Therefore, it is a representation in an issue prohibited by Allah (swt); participation in it by nomination or election is prohibited.

O Muslims of Iraq:

The Blessing of Allah (swt) Who Guided us to Islam makes it incumbent on us that before carrying out an action we refer back to the Shariah of Allah (swt) and not to accept any law but His Shariah.

Therefore, participation in this sin (elections) is considered a split in the Muslim's personality; on the one hand, he believes in the Islamic creed, but on the other, he accepts that these representatives become legislators instead of Allah (swt).

O Muslims:

Our rescue and refuge is not in abandoning the laws of Allah and His Shariah or forsaking them; it is by holding on to it inwardly and outwardly. The first step towards this is the continuous and serious work with the sincere ones among the sons of the Ummah to resume the Islamic way of life by establishing the Khilafah "Caliphate" upon the method of the Prophethood. Allah (swt) says:

وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لاَ يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الْفَاسِقُونَ

"Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them[therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear security, [for] they worship Me, not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that- then those are the defiantly disobedient." [An-Noor: 55]

Thus, the Ummah regains its arm of glory and becomes effective in the international arena, and punish all those who harmed the Muslims.

(( وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ * بِنَصْرِ اللهِ يَنْصُرُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ ))

"...And that day the believers will rejoice. In the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful." [Ar-Rum: 4-5]