considering that the basis for all actions of intellectuals is the intellect, and their governance based on the opinion of the majority of people, when the opinion of the majority of people is based on the intellect, is considered governance based on the intellect, not based on the opinion of the majority of people, and when it is not based on the intellect, then governance in accordance with it is not an action of intellectuals.

From here, it is understood that republicanism, in the sense of governance based on the opinion of the majority of people, regardless of whether their opinion is reasonable or not, has no place in Islam and is not acceptable by any explanation. However, consulting with people in governance to discover the most reasonable opinion available is beneficial and poses no issue. This is aside from the foundation of governance in Islam, which is not compatible with the foundation of republicanism in the aforementioned sense.

As a result, imitating the majority of people has no basis in the intellect and, accordingly, in Islam. Muslims must follow the truth, even if it contradicts what the majority of them say and do.

[Fourth: Imitation of Oppressors]

Another common form of imitation is following the statement and action of oppressors; because many Muslims follow their oppressive rulers. However, their oppressive rulers, on the one hand, are not permitted to govern considering the basis of legitimacy in Islam, and on the other hand, do not govern in accordance with the intellect and Sharia due to their being oppressors. Therefore, following them is not obligatory according to the intellect and Sharia; rather, it is certainly forbidden; because those who do not have the right to govern, accordingly, do not have the right to be followed, and following them, considering their opposition to the intellect and Sharia, conflicts with following the intellect and Sharia. This is one of the clear and essential issues; as Allah Almighty has explicitly said: ﴿وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُونَ﴾[1]; “And do not incline toward oppressors, lest the fire seize you. And you have no guardian but Allah, and then you will not be helped,”