سیاسی اقتدار کی تشکیل نو میں اسلامی جمہوریت اور شوریٰ کی جدید تعبیرات: اصلاح پسند مفسرین کی آرا کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Islamic Democracy and Contemporary Interpretations of Shura in the Restructuring of Political Authority: An Analytical Study of Reformist Scholars’ Perspectives

Abstract

The contemporary political landscape in the Muslim world has ignited a critical debate on the compatibility of Islamic governance principles with modern democratic systems. This paper explores how progressive Muslim exegetes and intellectuals are undertaking a reconstruction of political authority by reinterpreting the Qur'anic concept of Shura (consultation). Moving beyond traditionalist interpretations that often-confined Shura to a limited advisory role within a caliphal system, progressive scholars engage in a hermeneutical project that links classical principles to contemporary political thought. This study analyzes their methodological tools, which include: a historical-contextual analysis of early Muslim governance to distinguish timeless principles from time-bound applications; an emphasis on Maqasid al-Shari'ah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), particularly justice (adl), human dignity (karamah), and public welfare (maslahah); and a re-reading of Shura as a mandate for popular sovereignty, civic participation, and accountable leadership. The paper argues that for these progressive thinkers, Shura is not merely a parallel to democracy but is its foundational Islamic expression, necessitating institutions like elected parliaments, pluralism, and the protection of civil liberties. By deconstructing classical notions of absolute authority and reconstructing a model where the Ummah (community) is the source of political legitimacy, they articulate a vision of "Islamic Democracy." This vision seeks to authentically root modern democratic norms within the Islamic intellectual tradition, presenting a transformative framework for political authority in Muslim-majority societies.