Consultation in one’s affairs is a cardinal principle in Islam and is exemplified in the country’s national council, worshippers will hear in the sermon on Friday.
Shura (consultation) is held in high esteem in Islam. It is close in status to prayer, the sermon says.
A chapter in the Quran is named Shura and in it God emphasises the desired attributes of the faithful, including “those who answer the call of their Lord and establish worship, and whose affairs are a matter of counsel, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them”. (42:38)
Islam left it to the people to decide on the best way for them to discuss their affairs. The Federal National Council of the UAE is a modern interpretation of the deeply rooted Islamic principle.
Shura is embedded in the country’s history.
Our founding President, the late Sheikh Zayed, consulted with his brothers to unify the country and establish the federation.
“It’s a consultative committee to the Government and a channel to transmit the voices of the people and reflects the importance our country’s great leadership gives to its people in caring for their needs. They have a range of roles and powers to oversee multisector services in education, health, social and others,” the sermon says.
Shura starts with the family. When households make decisions together it increases harmony in relationships between members of the family.
Abu Huraira, the Prophet’s companion, said that he had never seen anyone who consulted more with his people than the Prophet.
Islam has also made it important to include women in its council affairs. A basic understanding of the life of the Prophet shows that he always sought advice from his wives. No one was excluded.
Shura was a way of life for the Prophet and should be for Muslims all over the world.
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