Majoritarianism in Fiqh Siyasah between Fiqh and Democracy

This study examines how the principle of majority operates within fiqh siyasah and modern democracy, particularly in the Malaysian context, where Islamic law functions alongside constitutional democracy. The research addresses the misconception that Islam either rejects majority rule or fully equates it with Western democratic practices. Such ambiguity has contributed to debates in public policy, Islamic legislation, and national governance regarding the limits of majority-based decision-making. The study aims to: (i) identify elements of majoritarianism in fiqh siyasah; (ii) compare them with democratic theories of majority rule; and (iii) assess their suitability for Malaysia’s hybrid governance model. Using qualitative document analysis, the research employs inductive and deductive reasoning to derive Shariah principles regulating majority use and applies a comparative framework to evaluate differences between Islamic and democratic concepts of legitimacy. Primary sources include the Qur’an, works of classical jurists such as al-Māwardī, al-Ghazālī, and Ibn Taymiyyah, as well as contemporary political theory. Findings show that fiqh siyasah recognizes majoritarian elements through mechanisms such as syūrā, ijmā‘ and jumhūr, bay‘ah, maslahah, and tarjīḥ bi al-kathrah. These mechanisms serve as decision-making tools and indicators of communal stability but do not constitute independent sources of legal authority. Unlike democracy, which grounds legitimacy in majority will, fiqh siyasah restricts majority decisions through Shariah, maqāṣid, justice, and minority protection. The study concludes that while fiqh and democracy differ in foundations, both employ majority processes. For Malaysia, integrating majoritarian principles within Shariah and constitutional boundaries can strengthen governance and supports the development of a proposed Fiqh Aghlabiyyat Malaysia framework.

Fiqh Siyasah, Majoritarianism, Siyasah

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