BRIEF ADVICE FOR MUSLIMS SEEKING POWER
By
Ibn 'Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori
Allaah has destined those who would be leaders on the surface of the earth and those who would serve under them. Be pleased with whatever class Allaah has placed you in your own society. What should be the priority of every Muslim, no matter his class in the society, is how he or she is going to attain the mercy and pleasure of Allaah by worshipping Him with ikhlaas (sincerity) and in accordance with the Qur'an, Sunnah and the understanding of the best generations of the Muslims.
The best thing is not to seek fame or want to be known. A lot of people in our world seek power and position of authority by any means possible. The mercy of Allaah is far better than what we all scramble acquire of worldly benefits. So, don't let your pursuit of the ephemeral things of this world put you against your purpose of creation (worship) and ultimate goal (al-jannah). We must reduce our love for material things of this world for the purpose of enjoying in the hereafter. One of the salaf, Malik Bin Dinaar رحمه الله said:
((من خطب الدنيا طلبت منه دينه كلها في صداقها))
In a very relevant hadith, Ka‘b ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Two hungry wolves sent against a flock of sheep cannot cause more damage to them than a man’s eagerness for wealth and prominence causes to his religious commitment.” [At-Tirmidhi (2376) Also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ (5620)]
On this hadith, Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah رحمه الله said:
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained that the damage that eagerness for wealth and prominence causes to one’s religious commitment is no less than the damage that two hungry wolves would cause in a sheep pen, and this is quite obvious. If there is sound religious commitment, there cannot be this eagerness, because once the heart tastes the sweetness of servitude to Allaah and love of Him, then there will be nothing dearer to the individual than that, and he will give it precedence over other things. In that way, Allah diverts evil deeds and shameful acts from those who are sincere to Allah alone. [Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa (10/215)]
Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad رحمه الله said:
If you are able not to be known, then do so. What harm will it do you if you are not known? What harm will it do you if no one praises you? What harm will it do you to be blameworthy before people if you are praiseworthy before Allah, may He be glorified and exalted? At-Tawaadu‘ wa’l-Khumool by Abu Bakr al-Qurashi (p. 43)]
Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
The one who is hidden from the people is the one who does not try to be prominent and known, and he is not interested in becoming prominent before people or being pointed out, or having people talk about him. You will find him going from his house to the mosque, and from the mosque to his house, and from his house to visit his relatives and brothers, keeping a low profile. [Sharh Riyadh as-Saaliheen (p. 629)]
May Allaah guide us aright.
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