Democracy or the Caliphate

In the 9th century, however, holding a Mu'tazilite opinion was punishable by death; and in the 11th century, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali in the Incoherence of Philosophers argued that Allah was not bound by reason, that there was no natural relationship between cause and effect in the world and that things do not act in accordance with their natures - such as would allow human reason to grasp the causes and effects - but only as a result of Allah’s will.

The Mu'tazilite’s unsuccessful attempt to understand Allah’s law, shariah, in light of Aristotle’s teachings had a parallel in the successful synthesis of Aristotle’s commonsense and biblical revelation by St Thomas Aquinas in the Christian tradition.

A-Ghazali’s view, however, has found a new outlet in the voice of radical Islam. As Osama bin Laden said after 9-11: "Terrorism is an obligation in Allah's religion". In other words, it is an expression of Allah’s will. Given terrorism’s constant resort to violence, it is most likely this voice that will rule any Caliphate unless it is silenced now. It is perhaps ironic in a sad way that the West should finally defeat the last of the two monstrous examples of the will to power, Communism and Nazism only to find it raising its head from the sands of the Middle East proclaiming itself to be the voice of God.

Still, one may marvel at the inconsistency in al-Ghazali’s argument, that he relies on a rationality in his logic the existence of which he denies to God.

There are many Moslems who, as a result of their contact with Western democracies, would adopt the moderate and reasonable mantle of the Mu'tazilite were it possible. They should be encouraged; perhaps by allowing Moslem students access to the teachings of the great medieval Islamic scholars such as Al-farabi, his student Avicenna and Averroes. Perhaps this is what Pope Benedict meant in his Regensburg speech when he intimated that the differences between Islam and Christianity should be solved in the University.

It would be a great pity for all if the irrational voice of the will to power were to triumph.

Despite Wasim Doureihi’s enthusiastic support for the Caliphate, the choice for the West is very clear: government according to the principles of The Declaration of Independence or the divine right of the Caliph.

Some might think the correct choice a self evident truth.