Likewise, to say we do not vote because we do not wish to be represented by the MPs is also flawed, as every citizen is represented by their local MP. Since we are all participant by default, we can remain idle and be represented, or we play an active role and try to steer the ship in a certain direction as best as we can. HT is opposed to this, unless it is for their benefit, thus they lobbied MPs not to impose a ban on the party.
(Yusuf) Again, the issue is not about whether there is an MP in my constituency after the election, the reality dictates that an MP has to be elected to every constituency. It is permissible to visit an MP to discuss with them, just as it is permitted to speak to a minister. What is prohibited is to ask an MP or any other official to introduce or vote for a law, as this fundamentally contradicts the prohibition of law making for other than Allah.
Each action should be judged against the hukm shar’I and not the reality. Surely it is in the interests of HTB to call on Muslims to vote against the Tories, and to do so themselves, as a Tory government has promised to ban HT in their manifesto. Therefore if benefit were the criteria, then logically what HTB are calling for is inimical to its benefit.
How do you reconcile this in view of your claim?
(Yamin) Why the need to see an MP if he is a manifestation of the ultimate sin of legislating man-made laws? You have been campaigning precisely against such people. You are obviously seeking some benefit here. When you visit the MP you are trying to persuade him or her to see your point of view. That is as good as asking to act (eventually legislate) in a certain way. You would not need to do all this if you put up your own candidate there in the first place. Of course you can’t do that; you would rather work upside down, have someone hostile and convince them to your viewpoint.
As for why you are not calling on the Muslims to vote in a particular way is the fundamental issue we are discussing. You have not crossed that line as yet. If you called on the Muslims to vote we would not be discussing here. So your question is not valid.
(Yusuf) Not everything an MP does is legislating, early day motions, parliamentary select committees, accounting government etc, are all examples of the non-legislative functions.
Your whole basis is that we act on benefit, that is why I have asked if that’s the case wouldn’t it be in our interest to vote, it would save a lot of time and effort and a lot of accusations. This is because of a hukm shar’I we follow on the issue.
Let us take the example of the niqab. If there ever were to be a vote in parliament as part of a bill to accept the banning of the niqab in public places. I could go to my local MP and discuss this with him in order to convince him to not support this proposal. I am not asking him to legislate, I am convincing him of the merits of this issue.
(Yamin) If you lobby the MP to vote in favor of a particular legislation or oppose one by not voting, then you are engaging in the legislative process, as you are persuading him to use his powers in a certain way in the parliament. You are going to the MPs so that he may act in this way, not just for an academic discussion.