The Economic System of Islam — Page 12
12 splendid examples exist amongst the Muslims because the Holy Quran from the very beginning taught Muslims that authority is a trust that should only be handed over, by elections, to the deserving person. It cannot be seized by some as their hereditary right, nor can it be passed on according to any criteria other than merit. Similarly, the person who is granted this trust must fulfil all the obligations associated with it. Anyone who does not fulfil these obligations shall stand before God as a condemned man. Muslims always kept in their minds the following verse: 6 That is, only those individuals should be given this trust who are worthy of it and have the capability to deal with administrative issues. The people who were given this trust always remained mindful of the Quranic injunction that they must rule with integrity and justice. They knew that if they were unmindful of justice and were not scrupulously honest, or otherwise became unworthy of the trust reposed in them, they would be answerable before God to face ret- ribution for their transgression. Anguish of Anguish of Anguish of Anguish of H H H H a a a a d d d d rat rat rat rat Umar Umar Umar Umar ra ra ra ra at His Deathbed at His Deathbed at His Deathbed at His Deathbed The above-mentioned Quranic injunctions were so deeply in- stilled in the personality of Hadrat Umar ra that others might 6 S u rah an-Nis a ’, 4:59, (publishers)