"
There shall be
no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion." (2:256)
"...whose
affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves,."
(42:38)
The Quran is clear, No Compulsion and rule by Counsel of the
people only.
A government that comes to power without due shura
(consultation) has no legitimacy in Islam.
Even if it may conducts some shura
in some areas. Therefore, the practice of dictators in Muslim country's
who seize power by military
force and then institute a "majlis-e-shura"
or a controlled form of basic democracies through which only opinions
favourable to the ruler
are allowed to exist has absolutely no validity in Islam.
In Islam when conducting shura
in a society, one should involve as many members of the society as
possible. This means open free and fair elections and
democracy in all Muslim country's.
The table below shows the current state of democracy in Muslim
countries