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THE IDEAL
LEADERSHIP (PART
7)
By Marhum Ahmed H Sheriff
ISLAMIC MENTALITY OF A TRUE LEADER
It is an accepted fact that
the destiny of a community or a nation rests a great deal on its leader.
However, elected with massive votes of the people one may be, and
whatever outward magnetism and high show of dignity he may possess, yet
a great deal of inner purity of heart, sincere intentions to serve his
people and tactful handling of problems are essential to make one an
ideal and worthy leader. When one is entrusted with leadership in a
society, the power and prestige that it carries with it is likely to
corrupt his mind. He could be tempted to consider himself above all
others. He may be misled to consider himself above law and feel safe to
subjugate people under him.
The holy Qur’an has
repeatedly emphasised upon people particularly those with authority to
act with fairplay and justice:
“And let not hatred of any
people seduce you that you deal not justly; deal justly, that is nearer
to piety”.
(5:9)
Ali bin Abi Talib (as)
strongly believed in the equality of all and preference or special
consideration to none before the rule of Islamic law and justice. Not
even the Caliph himself was to be given any special attention before a
Qadhi in the Islamic court.
While
returning from the battle of siffeen, Ali bin Abi Talib (as) had lost
his armour. After a few days, it was found that christian was wearing
it. The Imam demanded it back but that man refused claiming to be his
own property. He filed a case against him in the Islamic court of the
time before Qadhi Shuraih.
When the case
was mentioned, the christian argued that the armour was his property,
the proof being that it was in his personal possession. When Ali bin Abi
Talib (as) was asked to submit his evidence, he said,
“This is my
armour which I have neither sold nor gifted”.
The Qadhi felt
that whilst there could be no doubt against the claim of Ali bin Abi
Talib (as), the plaintiff, the burden of the proof i.e. the possession
of the armour by the defendant, was against him. In absence of enough
and reliable evidence otherwise, the Qadhi was hesitating to give
judgement against him in his position as Caliph of the Ummah (nation).
On noticing this, Ali told him not hesitate but issue the judgement as
was befitting and in accordance with the rule of the court.
The verdict
then issued was against Ali bin Abi Talib (as) who cheerfully accepted
it. But the christian was so much impressed with such a fair and just
rule of law that he later went to Ali bin Abi Talib (as) and willingly
surrendered the illicitly possessed armour and also accepted Islam as a
true faith. The Caliph in welcoming this new convert offered him back
the armour as well as a horse as gifts from him.
Would a Caliph of a stature
and exalted position of Ali bin Abi Talib (as) file in the Islamic court
such a weak suit in which he knew he would not be able to produce
accepted evidence? Or was he so much attached to his armour as to rush
to the court without confidence of being able to prove his case? Such
are the questions which could arise in the mind of any simple reader of
this incidence.
The fact is that the Prophets
and Imams as infallible representatives of Allah on earth, were not in
their life actions concerned about their self-esteem nor personal
material interests. Their very action was totally aimed at imparting
guidance to mankind and setting noble examples worth emulating for
others. They acted in strict obedience to and for the pleasure of Allah.
In my opinion Ali bin Abi
Talib (as) might have deliberately filed the suit in order to test the
Qadhi’s fair style of dispensing with justice and also to set an example
of the right procedure to be followed in an Islamic court. Not only was
the ideal example set of the rule of law and justice, but also of
refraining from the misuse of position as a Caliph and leader of the
nation.
Readers are requested to
recite Sura al-Fatiha for Marhum Ahmed H Sheriff
Released by: Mulla
Mujaheedali Sheriff
mulla@almahdi.org.uk |