Leadership in Islam

Islamic leadership

leadership in Islamic history:

After Muhammad's death, the disputed question of who should be the successor (Caliph) to Muhammad's political authority led eventually to the division of Islam into Sunni and Shia. Sunni's believe that he should be elected, whereas Shia believe in divinely ordained infallible twelve Shi'a Imams for leadership after Muhammad.

THE CONCEPT OF LEADERSHIP IN ISLAM:

In the Holy Quran Allah addresses human beings as his representatives or vicegerents on the earth providing them with all the necessary skills, principles and tools to lead their lives towards glory and also to lead others towards realizing their fullest potential.

"It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" (Al-An'âm 6: 165)

Democracy in Islam:

	Consultation (Shura)	Democracy
Topics to vote for	Life world only, not religious topics.	Everything.
Who can vote	Chosen people.	Everyone.

So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].  (3:159)

Source of leadership:

-       And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah . Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing. But if they intend to deceive you - then sufficient for you is Allah . It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers. And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise. (8:61-63)

-       Say, "O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent. You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account." (3:26-27)

Riyad-as-Saliheen
By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi

The book of Miscellany Chapter 81 : Undesirability of Aspiring for Office [674-677 of 1896]

Allah, the Exalted, says: "That home of the Hereafter (i.e., Jannah), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)." (28:83)

674. 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "Do not ask for position of authority. If you are granted this position without asking for it, you will be helped (by Allah) in discharging its responsibilities; but if you are given it as a result of your request, you will be left alone as its captive. If you take an oath to do something and then find a better alternative, you should adopt the latter and expiate for your oath." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: By rulership is meant caliphate or any other rank affiliated to its hierarchy. Yet, it is undesirable to be eager or to strive for such an extraordinary position as it entails a heavy responsibility and one may face a sufficient difficulty in being absolved from it. However, if a man gets it without solicitation, he should accept it. The other part of the Hadith concerns swearing. Somebody takes an oath to do something but he finds another work more rewarding and righteous. In such a situation he is advised to dissolve his oath and make expiation for it. Thereafter, he will be free to avail the advantageous option. As for the expiation of breaking an oath, there are four options: to set free a slave, or to feed an average-quality food to ten needy persons, or to provide clothes to them; and the expiator who cannot afford all that, should observe fasting for three days.

675. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons, and do not manage an orphan's property." [Muslim]. Commentary: Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (May Allah be pleased with him) was one of the most ascetic Companions who was little interested in mundane affairs. Finding him weak to do responsible jobs, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) gave him this advice. In fact, the one who takes interest in worldly affairs and understands them well can discharge the responsibilities appropriately. But a person who has aversion to worldly pursuits and keeps clear of them will be considered unfit in this regard.

676. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "Why do you not appoint me to an (official) position?" He (PBUH) patted me on the shoulder with his hand and said, "O Abu Dharr, you are a weak man and it is a trust and it will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of Resurrection except for the one who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and fulfills what is entrusted to him (discharges its obligations efficiently)." [Muslim]. Commentary: There are, according to this Hadith, two conditions for putting people in official positions. The first is the relevant talent for the job, a man is put in charge of; and the second is his capacity for discharging responsibilities thereof. For example, a ruler should primarily possess the ability to maintain law and order and to establish justice; and secondly, he should be endowed with sufficient dynamism and vision to cope with new demands and situations. This basic principle applies to every official, whether in the capacity of governor, minister, advisor, financial administrator or a clerk. Apart from the sense of job, ability and integrity, he should be fired with determination with regard to his work. An office is indeed an important trust, and to have it without meeting the said conditions is a sort of treachery .