Rihla - Islam and Democracy - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Lessons from the retreat called RIHLA
RIHLA was started many years ago by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf to revive classical Islamic education for the contemporary Muslims. It reinforces the importance of tassawwuf in our times as a remedy to the manyfold troubles in our lives.
Shaykh Hamza is the pioneer of the annual RIHLA program but it has grown to include some of the most erudite Muslim scholars of our times. It is a superb collection of lessons made available for all English speaking seekers of knowledge on topics ranging from the creed, essential fiqh, scholars of our past, history of our nations, why to eat organic food, environmental issues, translation of classical arabic texts, and much more.
Due to the vast amount of book-work undertaken by the teachers of the RIHLA series, in their thirst for all kinds knowledge, some of the topics covered have never been discussed before in the light of Islam.

[@mamer8486]

Correction, if a seeker of the friendship of ALLAH (apbth) is ABLE TO.

[@mamer8486]

The sixth and seventh verses revealed, indicates that a human being will become a tyrant if he/she perceive him/her self to be in no need of the victims of his/her tyranny.
The choice should be based on this fact , any system that allows for tyranny to go unchecked is SHIRK , if a seeker of the friendship of ALLAH (apth) ,verses 255,256,267,258 Surah 2, is unable to do what the friend of ALLAH (apbth) did in verse 258 Surah 2, without any threats to his/her wellbeing , then that society is on the right path.
If tolerating tyranny is OK, but tolerating sin is bad , then the Quran has it backwards, sin is forgivable by ALLAH (apbth) but Tyranny is not . Verses 256,257,258 Surah 2 .
A friend of ALLAH (apbth) has this mindset :
With God 2:260." show me how you give life to the dead".
With his father 19:43."to me had come knowledge which had not reached you".
With his son 37:102."what is your view(opinion ? ".
With his people 37:85-86-95."you worship that which you have (yourselves) carved ?! ".
With the king 2:258."God causes the sun to rise from the east, you (the king) then cause it to
rise from the west".
Muhammad(pbuh) was ordered to follow the example Ibrahim(pbuh).
The question is ,which society will tolerate someone with this mindset?