Islam primarily focuses on the immutable aspects of life and existence, while political, social, and economic ideologies concern only certain variable, social aspects of our worldly existence. When comparing religion or Islam with democracy, one must remember that democracy is a system that is being continually developed and revised. Therefore, it is important to note that only Islam's perspective on society and the physical world can be compared with existing notions of democracy.

The Prophet Muhammad said, "All people are as equal as the teeth of a comb". He also declared, "You are all from Adam, and Adam is from earth. O servants of God, be brothers (and sisters)." According to Islam, then, those who have wealth and material power or those who belong to certain families or ethnic groups have no inherent right to rule over others.

Islam does not propose a definite form of government or attempt to shape it. Instead, Islam establishes fundamental principles that orient a government's general character, leaving it to the people to choose the type and form of government according to time and circumstances. Islam also upholds the following fundamental principles:

1. Power lies in truth, a refutation of the popular idea that truth relies upon power.

2. Justice and the rule of law are essential.

3. Freedom of belief and rights to life, personal property, reproduction, and health (both mental and physical) cannot be violated.

4. The privacy and immunity of individual life must be maintained.

5. No-one can be convicted of a crime without evidence, or accused and punished for someone else's crime.

6. An advisory system of administration is essential.

As Islam holds individuals and societies responsible for their own lives and actions, so too people must be responsible for governing themselves. The duties entrusted to modern democratic systems are also those that Islam refers to society to address. People cooperate with one another by sharing these duties and establishing the essential foundations necessary to perform them. The government is composed of all of these foundations. Thus, Islam recommends a government based on a social contract. People elect the administrators and establish a council to debate common issues. The society as a whole participates in auditing the administration. There are many sayings from the Prophet that encourage people to speak up and oppose the wrongs of leadership. The first successor to the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, in his inauguration speech welcomed justified opposition, saying, "O people, I have been chosen to be your leader, even though I am no better than any of you. If I do right, help me. If I do wrong correct me."^[26]

Especially during the rule of the first four caliphs (632–661), the fundamental principles of government mentioned above, including free elections, were fully observed. After the fourth caliph, Ali, the political leadership was at first confined to a dynasty and then gradually changed into a monarchy, which was the global norm at the time and a system that provided greater stability than an untimely democratic system. Unlike in the caliphate, power in the monarchies was passed on through the sultan's family. Even though free elections were no longer held, government and society maintained other principles that are at the core of today's liberal democracy.

Considering the discussion so far and the status of countries where Muslims are in a majority, one could easily conclude that the ideal principles of government stipulated by Islam are not fully functional. Countries with an "Islamic" label in their name do not really deserve to have such an attribute as they are far from implementing the key principles of Islam pertaining to the governing of people. In fact, at no time in Muslim history has a label such as "Islamic" or "Muslim" been used in the name of a state. Therefore, at the moment there is no country on earth, which can be shown as a good example of an ideal Muslim state. Many modern Muslim countries are going through a transitional period. Hopefully they will eventually settle into stable political systems, at which time Muslim nations will be able to help propel global democracy to greater heights.

[26] Emerick, Yahiya, A. Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, p. 289.