GENERAL ELECTIONS, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, AND MONEY POLITICS IN LIGHT OF THE QUR’AN

A Thematic Quranic Interpretation Approach

Abstrak

General elections, political campaigns, and money politics are central issues in contemporary politics, as they significantly affect regime legitimacy, political participation, and governance integrity. This study examines the Qur’anic perspective on these three concepts and analyzes their relevance to contemporary political practices. Using a thematic quranic interpretation approach, the research systematically analyzes relevant Qur’anic verses to construct a normative ethical framework. The findings reveal that the Qur’an conceptualizes elections as an ideal mechanism for leadership selection, emphasizing sincerity, merit, and the prevention of corruption. Political campaigns are considered permissible insofar as they remain consistent with Islamic moral values, as illustrated by the narrative of Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him), who assumed public office based on competence, and the account of Prophet Shuʿayb’s daughter recommending Moses, reflecting ethical advocacy. In contrast, political money is identified as a serious ethical violation that undermines public morality, justice, and social trust. This study contributes to strengthening the literature on Islamic political ethics by presenting an integrated Qur’anic vision. This perspective offers a normative framework for addressing contemporary political challenges—particularly the influence of money politics and unregulated campaign financing—through the reinforcement of transparency, justice, and equal opportunities among candidates.