The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 537
XII - First Era of Life in Madīnah Comes to an End and the Islāmic System of Government 537 “O Abū Dharr! You are a weak individual and rulership is a trust. On the day of resurrection rulership shall be the cause of humiliation and disgrace, except for such a person who completely fulfils its rights. ” 1 In this Ḥadīth the word Amānat [i. e. , Trust] has been used to describe government. In other words, the right to rule belongs to the majority alone and a specific person only receives it as a trust from the majority. Since sovereignty is a trust, especially in the case of a Head of State, and even in the appointment of other subordinate leaders, Islām teaches that no such person should be elected into government, who desires a position for himself. The Holy Prophet sa states: ِ اِنَّا وَاللّٰه ِ لَا نُوَلِّی ْ عَلی ٰ ھٰذَا الْعَمَل ِ اَحَدًا سَاٴَلَه ٗ وَلَا اَحَدًا حَرَص َ عَلَیْه “By God, we shall never give any position in government to such a person who demands it or desires it for himself. ” 2 Consultation is Necessary in Government Islām stipulates the following fundamental teaching to guide those people who are elected as rulers according to the recommendation of the people: “The task of the believers is to fully obey God, and worship Him, and to settle matters of administration with mutual consultation, and to spend the wealth which God has given to them upon the people. ” 3 In this verse, a ruler has been obliged not to follow a course of dictatorship and tyranny after being elected as the Amīr , rather, to keep in mind that sovereignty has only been given to him as a trust; he should continue seeking the public opinion and discharge the responsibilities of his 1 Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Imārah, Bābu Karāhiyyatil-Imārati Bi-Ghairi Ḍurūratin, Ḥadīth No. 4719 2 Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Imārah, Bābun-Nahyi ‘An Ṭalabil-Imārati Wal-Ḥirṣi ‘Alaihā, Ḥadīth No. 4717 3 Ash-Shūrā (42:39)