TO POWER SEEKERS: Power Means Service & Responsibility.

Election Time

Message To The Power Seekers:

Power Means Service

And Responsibility,

Delivering Peace & Justice!

(M. Javed Naseem)

“Whoso desires power, (should know

that) all power belongs to Allah.”

(al-Quran 35:10)

“Do not ask for a position of authority! …”

-- Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

 

Man is greedy for power, money and fame. Any one of these three elements can turn his head and he can become an arrogant person. The Almighty Allah does not like arrogance. When you become powerful, by grace of God, don’t let the power go through your head. It might prove more harmful than beneficial. Money and power (authority) can solve most of the problems the mankind is facing today. But at the same time, if these two are not rightly controlled or directed through proper channels, they themselves can create havoc in the world.

It is difficult to separate money from authority. Money is power and so is the authority. All power is evil (fitna) if it is not used for the benefit and welfare of mankind. In this age, it is the power that is creating all kinds of social, economic and political problems for mankind. Humans are known for the abuse of power. They cannot handle it. Power should be used to enforce justice, and eradicate inequality and injustice. But in this world what we see today is that power is being used to control others; to get the maximum material benefits; and escape from justice. This is corruption. Power should be taken from the hands of the corrupt and given to the honest and God-fearing. That will make the world an ideal place.

“And walk not in the earth exultant!

Lo! You cannot rend the earth, nor can

you stretch to the height of the hills.

The evil of all that is hateful in the

sight of thy Lord.”

(al-Quran 17:37-38)

Power is a Godly quality and only God can use it justly. Human beings, when given power, often try to play God and end up doing injustice to the fellow humans. They cannot resist the temptation, therefore, the corruption prevails. Power is responsibility and it should be used for the service to humanity. A ruler/governor who enjoys power, is actually given responsibility to serve his people. A ruler is a servant of Allah and he should serve His people; take care of them, solve their problems and promote peace and justice in the society. But the modern day ruler, on the contrary, considers himself as “king” of the people and takes people as his servants. He likes it very much when people gather in rows for his reception, bow in front of him and kiss his hand.

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Dishonest and corrupt politicians with

feudal background are used to exploit

the system and enjoy luxury life at public

expense! They should be screened and

barred from contesting elections.

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As per one Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that if a ruler lets people wait in rows for his reception, let him know that he has reserved a place in Hell.

Now, take a minute and think about it. Sometimes, a bad ruler has ignorant cronies around him who are even worse than him. They cross all limits to please the ruler and benefit from their position. Many a time the ruler is not aware of what they do.

On the Day of Judgment, all rulers would be asked questions about their people. A ruler must be a humble and God-fearing servant of people, and not an arrogant tyrant. He is responsible for social justice, equality, peace and prosperity of his nation. He is not allowed to take people’s money or property. He is answerable to God for the sufferings of his people (due to injustice), during his tenure.

“Lo, Allah commands you that you restore

deposits to their owners, and if you judge

between mankind, that you judge justly.”

(al-Quran 4:58)

The problem with us, Muslims, is that we don’t fear Allah. We don’t think that we are going to die sooner or later. We don’t think about the Day of Judgment and answering questions in front of Allah. We have become hypocrites (Munafiq) as we say one thing and we do something else. We lie to others every day and we don’t consider it a sin or something immoral. It is accepted as normal behavior in the society. We read the Holy Quran and still we don’t get the message! We read about other nations and generations that were destroyed because of their sins and evil-doing but we don’t learn any lesson from the Quran, nor from the history of the nations. We know that it happened to other nations but we think it is not going to happen to us. Why not? Allah says:

“How many a township have We destroyed

while it was sinful, so that it lies (to this day)

in ruins, and (how many) a deserted well and

lofty tower! Have they not traveled in the land,

so that they may have hearts wherewith to feel,

and ears wherewith to hear? For indeed it is

not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts,

which are within the bosoms, that grow blind.”

(al-Quran 22:45-46)

So, we are getting blind and cannot see things coming. Maybe, we don’t want to see it as the mere thought of it is very disturbing for us. We just want comfortable lives, but we don’t want to make honest efforts for that. We go for shortcuts or we want others to do it for us. We ask the government to do things for us, but we forget that the governments also consist of people like us. Those who are in power, they care for their own interests. Nobody cares about the man in the street. Ironically the man in the street is also thinking how to get rich easily; or how to get closer to the powerful to benefit from it. It is a vicious cycle.

“… And seek not corruption in the earth!

Lo, Allah loves not corruptors.”

(al-Quran 28:77)

The funny thing in most of the Muslim countries is that everybody who works for the government would like to play the “boss” but nobody takes any responsibility. We want power but no responsibility?

As Muslims or believers in the Day of Judgment, there should not be any doubt in our minds about the accountability process. It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

"Beware! Every one of you is a shepherd and every one

is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph (ruler)

is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about

his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs). A man is

a guardian over the members of his family and shall be

questioned about them (as to how he looked after their

physical and moral well-being). A woman is a guardian

over the household of her husband and his children and

shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed

the household and brought up the children). A slave is a

guardian over the property of his master and shall be

questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust).

Beware! Every one of you is a guardian and every one

of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.”

Those who are in-charge of others, will be questioned on the Judgment Day. There is no escape from it. In a Muslim society, everybody is responsible. These days, people complain about corruption and mishandling of affairs, but who is responsible for that? What happened to the accountability set-up? Alas, there is no such thing! People who are responsible for maintaining peace and justice, are corrupt and they favor their friends and families. We don’t do anything to eradicate evil. On the contrary, we go out of our way to protect those law-breakers because they are our friends and family. But we love to  complain and criticize. Muslims do nothing, as usual, and wait for Allah to intervene, do the justice and punish the culprits for them. Amazing!

As per Hadith, narrated Maaqil: “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.”

According to Abd al-Rahman bin Samura, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said to him:

“Abd ar-Rahman, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left alone (without God’s help to discharge the responsibilities attendant thereon); and if you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (by God in the discharge of your duties).”

In another Hadith, Abu Burda narrated:

“The Prophet (s.a.w.) sent my father (Abu Musa) and Mu'adh bin Jabal to Yemen (as rulers/governors) and said (to them): ‘Make things easy for the people and do not put hurdles in their way, and give them glad tiding, and don’t let them have aversion (i.e. to make people hate good deeds); and you both should work in cooperation and mutual understanding.’ Abu Musa said to Allah's Apostle: ‘In our country a special alcoholic drink, called ‘Al-Bit', is prepared. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Every intoxicant is prohibited.”

People go to other countries or towns to visit the historical places and ruins. But what do they do there? They take pictures, make selfies and videos to show around. They don’t pay attention to the history of those ruins and why did they become ruins? There are lessons in every such place. Those ruins talk but only to those who have ears! Don’t get carried away by power! The absolute and ultimate power is with Almighty God.

“And how many a generation we destroyed

before them, who were mightier than these in

prowess so that they overran the lands! Had

they any place of refuge (when the judgment

came)? Lo! Therein verily is a reminder for

him who has a heart, or gives ear with

full intelligence.”

(al-Quran 50:36-37)

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