Shura in Islam

In the chapters on the Rightly Guided Caliphate, Shakib Arslan presents consultation (shura) as one of the foundations of government in Islam. This is his description as he transmits it from the books of biography, and his explanation of the basis of consultation is a matter of dispute among the jurists. ¹

He describes how Umar ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him) left the matter of the caliphate after him to the consultation of six Companions, with whom the Prophet had been pleased when he died. He recommended that Suhayb lead the people in prayer for three days, and that whoever takes up the matter without the consultation of the Muslims be put to death. ¹

He holds that consultation rests on the will of the community, and that the caliph holds authority only from it. ¹

A further source is needed: the account of Umar's council is taken from the books of biography as Arslan gives it, and the jurists' view on the binding force of consultation needs a jurisprudential source.

The Sheikh says that a woman's consent to her marriage is required, and that the Prophet ruled that the girl and her mother be consulted before a marriage (needs_source: the details of the ruling) ². He holds, as his own opinion, that arranging a marriage in secret between the families behind closed doors is dangerous for the girl and undermines her dignity ³.

He holds, as his own opinion, that a husband should consult his wife and not impose his choice on her, and he attributes this to the guidance of the Prophet ⁴. He recalls that Umar chose the six men of the council (needs_source) ⁵, and holds, as his own opinion, that a ruler who follows God's path preserves people's trust in the trustworthy, while appointing relatives and clients destroys that trust (needs_source) ⁵.

He holds, as his own opinion, that mutual counsel among people brings good results ⁶.