ISLAMIC DEMOCRACY AND WESTERN DEMOCRACY ABU AL-A'LA AL-MAUDUDI (Comparative Studies)

Abstract

Abu al-A'la al-Maududi is an Islamic thinker who focuses his thoughts on Islamic politics, statehood, and the concept of democracy. The aim of this research is to understand the concept of Islamic and Western democracy from the perspective of Abu al-A'la al-Maududi. This research is qualitative, using library research data collection methods. The data sources in this research are primary data and secondary data. In analyzing data, researchers used descriptive methods, content analysis, interpretation, and comparison. The research results show that Abu al-A'la al-Maududi believes that in Islamic democracy there is a very fundamental principle, namely the concept of monotheism as the basis for building a political system based on the values contained in the qur’an and Hadist. Meanwhile, regarding Western democracy, it is absolutely in the hands of the people, the people are the highest source of power in the state. The idea of sovereignty elevates the people to the highest level of authority in the state, becoming more dangerous if the majority decision overrides God's will in Islam.