What Should Our Intention Be in Voting? – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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Shaykh Faraz highlights what intentions Muslims should have in voting. He clarifies that in reality, the believer has one intention in everything they do: for the sake of Allah Most High. So the Muslim’s intention in voting is to seek Allah’s pleasure. How?
Shaykh Faraz advises Muslims to pause for a moment before voting to gather their intentions to seek Allah Most High through voting. This could be sought through intending to fulfill one’s responsibility as a citizen out of being concerned to promote public good, to prevent harm, to facilitate benefit, to preserve the best interest of individuals and the community, etc. One could also include specific concerns that one has in their intention.
Shaykh Faraz also reminds us to turn to Allah Most High and ask Him to facilitate benefit through istikhara. Muslims should consign their affairs to Allah Most High with complete certitude and hope in Him, because one doesn’t know where the good is. Good things may happen through crisis. Shaykh Faraz gives the example of the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from Makka, and that at that instance we do not know the whole story and what God has in store. Allah is the Guarding Protector of the people of faith. We have deep concern and deep certitude, and we balance both.
