You are right to suggest that it is possible that extremely local or small scale politics might tend away from the broad corrupting influences I describe above…I have to admit I haven’t been involved in the nitty gritty of that enough to say one way or the other.

I’ve know seen it, pretty cool.

I’m glad Mr. Kaus was there to remind us that we’re still nobody important in his world, though.

I think you’re right about the inevitable compromises of politics, and I’d be willing to bet that some of these lead to distortion of religious (and other) values. Certainly, we have no shortage of Bible-thumping officeholders in the US, who commit sins at least daily, to back up this hypothesis.

On the other hand, I think it is unhealthy for a citizen to arbitrarily cut him- or herself from any aspect of society by fiat. It is more healthy for everyone in a democratic society at least to keep open the possibility of being an elected official. Suppose, for example, that you were such a good community leader that you could run for, say, City Council, unopposed? Wouldn’t that be a useful opportunity to make your concerns, and those of your community, better heard?

I’d also argue that it’s well nigh impossible to do almost any job in a society that doesn’t involve some compromises at some point, whether with one’s religious beliefs or otherwise. We do the best we can in an imperfect world, and that’s all anybody can ask.

Also, how does your thinking extend to, say, Iran? Do you think that the ayatollahs and other clerical figures are wrong to be an important part of running that country?

On an unrelated note, did you notice our big moment?

Jazzak Allaahu Khayr for your comments. Which is why I think that people who want to represent a real “prophetic voice” (which I hope includes all Muslims) should basically stay aloof from electoral politics, because participating in those politics leads to distortion and compromise of the prophetic message. I do think there are countless ways to be involved in the community and to help people and even to be involved with “political” issues without getting involved in the electoral process.

I realize not many people agree with me though. Most people have been convinced that to truly participate in American society starts with, if it doesn’t end with, being involved in the politics game. I think that’s exactly what “They” want you to believe, because they want you to compromise and sell out the Prophetic agenda in return for your own piece of the pie.

Of course King wouldn’t be president. If King or Malcolm hadn’t been killed when they were (and of course Allaah (swt) is in charge of all affairs) they would have obviously been killed at another time. If Allaah (swt) somehow ordained either of them to live this long, most likely they would be in prison (where Imam Jamil Al-Amin is).

And truly Allaah is the Best of Planners and the Disposer of All Affairs.

Allaah knows best.