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THE IDEAL
LEADERSHIP (PART
9)
By Marhum Ahmed H Sheriff
SPECIAL FAVOUR TO LEADER UNACCEPTABLE
It was during the times of
his caliphate when once Ali bin Abi Talib (as) accompanied by his slave
Qambar went to a bazaar of Kufa. They entered a shop and inquired about
some kind of garments. The shopkeeper recognizing his status promptly
responded by saying,
“O’ leader of faithful! I can
supply what you need”
When Ali bin Abi Talib (as)
found out that the shopkeeper was making a gesture of special attention
and possible favour to him being conscious of his high status, he
withdrew without making any bargain. Both then entered another shop and
the Imam purchased two garments, the superior one at three dirhams he
presented to Qambar (his slave) and inferior one at two dirhams he
retained for himself. On seeing this Qambar said,
“O’ my master! It is you who
should wear the better quality garment as you have to go up the pulpit
to deliver sermons”
To this Ali (as) replied,
“No Qambar! It is you who
should wear the better garment because you are young and like other
young ones, your desire for adornment is more. Besides I am ashamed
before God that my clothing be better than yours because I have heard
the Prophet of Islam recommending: Clothe and feed your slave the same
way you do for yourselves !”
From the foregoing incidence,
some useful lessons worth emulating are derived.
1.
That top leaders
and men of high positions, be they of a nation, a community or any
society, ought to be careful in not misusing their positions in dealings
for their personal benefit. In withdrawing from the first shop without
closing any bargain, Ali bin Abi Talib (as) perhaps meant to drive home
to the shopkeeper and set example that he was there in his personal
capacity and not as Ameer al-Mu’mineen who would not accept personal
favours.
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That Islamic Sharia’ has
prescribed fair and equitable rights to slaves can also be derived
from this incidence. In presenting a superior garment to his slave in
preference to himself, the Caliph wanted him not to suffer from any
inferiority complex at the same time setting example of generous and
humane treatment to the downtrodden class.
Readers are
requested to remember Marhum Ahmed H Sheriff with recitation of
Suratul-Fatiha
Released by; Mulla
Mujaheedali Sheriff
Mulla@almahdi.org.uk |