With Zara Sultana announcing the founding of a new left-wing political party alongside Jeremy Corbyn and several independent Muslim MPs, the relationship between Islam and progressive politics in Britain is under the spotlight again.

Sultana, a prominent voice on the left, announced the news alongside her resignation from the Labour party, denouncing its record on poverty, inequality, and failure to call out the genocide in Gaza — issues that deeply resonate with many British Muslims.

While the teachings of Islam span both political spectrums— for example, positions on law, order, family structure, and personal morality often lean conservative — there are notable parallels between Islamic principles and left-wing political ideas.

Common ground exists in areas such as economic justice, communal responsibility, environmental stewardship, anti-imperialism, and scepticism of unregulated capitalism.

Here we explore some of those similarities

Wealth redistribution

Islam mandates zakat—a form of wealth redistribution—and encourages looking after the poor, orphans, and vulnerable. It also strongly urges voluntary charity (sadaqah).

This moral obligation mirrors left-wing support for progressive taxation, welfare systems, and labour rights. Both reject the exploitative accumulation of wealth and insist on a more equitable society. Lately, a wealth tax has gained popularity on the left, with trade unions, the Green Party, and many Labour backbenchers backing it.

Communal responsibility

The concept of ummah emphasises community solidarity. Islam champions collective well-being over hyper-individualism — precisely what many on the left strive for.

Many left-wing movements emphasise economic equality, poverty reduction, and social welfare programs, which align with Islamic values of caring for the poor and vulnerable.

Anti-Imperialism and anti-war

Islam has a long tradition of anti-imperialism, evident in its history of anti-colonial resistance. That outlook informs many Muslims’ support for global justice causes—whether opposing foreign wars, fighting for Palestinian rights, or resisting systemic oppression.

Progressive left-wing politics often oppose imperialism and military intervention. In recent years, certain personalities on the left have been particularly vocal in denouncing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Care for the oppressed

Islam upholds the dignity of the oppressed and sees looking after refugees, migrants and travellers as a moral and spiritual duty. For example, Muhammad (SAW) and his companions were migrants themselves — leaving Makkah for Madinah to escape persecution.

Likewise, left-wing parties have traditionally advocated for refugee rights, humane immigration policies, and protections for minority communities.

Environmental stewardship

Both Islam and many left-wing ideologies see stewardship of the Earth as a moral duty, responsible for maintaining its balance and protecting it from harm.

The concept of khalifa (stewardship) in Islam parallels ecological ethics. This aligns with the environmental concerns of many progressive movements, which see climate justice as an urgent moral duty.