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Election: Between Candidacy and the Need of the Nation

Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

It has been a few days since the Parliament was dissolved. The riddle on what is the date of the election has stopped. The hot issue being discussed now is the puzzle on who the candidates are for the political organizations running in the election.

Some of those involved are imagining beautiful dreams and some are worrying over bad dreams. I do not intend to discuss their fates in politics but rather to discuss the hands that elect them be it the hands of the top leaders of the political parties or the people that vote for them.

I am intrigued by the letter of Saidina Abu Bakr al-Siddiq that contained a will on his preferred candidate to replace him and at that time, he was very ill. He requested Saidina ‘Othman to write for him these words: “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful. This is the commendation of Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah in the last moments of his life in this world and is moving out of it, and the beginning of his life in the Hereafter, and is moving into it. At this moment in time, an infidel will become devoted, a wicked person will be convinced and a liar will speak truthfully. I appoint for you ‘Umar bin al-Khattab as my successor. Listen and obey him. Verily, I shall not delay any goodness that is for Allah (His Blessing), His Messenger, His religion, for me and for all of you. If he is just, then it meets my feeling and my knowledge on him. If he changes (to become unjust), then each one of us will bear the burden of sins that we commit. My intention is good and I do not know of the unseen (future situation). Therefore, those wicked ones will know the rightful place they will end up in. Wassalam ‘alaikum warahmatullah”. (Ibn Sa’d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, 3/200, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr).

This letter illustrates how much Saidina Abu Bakr tried to make him self and all of us realize that the matters of electing those who will have the authority to administer the affair of the nation have a close relation with sins and rewards and Allah’s deliberation in the Day of Judgment. Therefore, we must elect those whom we believe are able to foster justice and the wellbeing of the ummah.

If we elect those that have the potential to ruin the ummah, then that is profoundly sinful alongside Allah. Likewise, the candidates being nominated have to realize that Hell is the ending place of those that are dishonorable and fail to execute their leadership duty and responsibility.

Deciding on a candidate or voting, though seemingly simple since it only requires us to place a name or cross a box on an election day, has a big impact on the future of a country and a nation. It is capable to determine the fall and the rise of a government or the peacefulness and turmoil of a society.

Therefore, in selecting candidates regardless whether we are top leaders picking out the names of candidates to compete or commoners casting a vote, we need to remind ourselves of this hadith. The Prophet s.a.w. said, “A man speaks what is pleasing to Allah and he does not suspect that it will have the result that it does, and Allah will write for him His good pleasure for it until the day when he meets Him. And a man speaks what excites the wrath of Allah and he does not suspect that it will have the result that it does, and Allah will write His wrath for him for it until the day when he meets Him.” (Reported by Malik in Muwata’). Similarly, in selecting and voting for candidates, although it is neither spoken nor written but it is in essence written words that give rise to a tremendous impact.

We are so glad to see our mass media reporting the desire of leaders of political organizations to ensure that candidates being nominated are of quality. We hope that it will all become true and are not just slogans. Yes, many people have now become smarter and started to know how to judge wisely. This is not the time for them to be proud of their political brands only while at the same time, their elected representatives or leaders do not have the quality that is capable to ensure the survival of the ummah.

The quality of a candidate is not seen only through his region or state or age or educational background, whether he is a ‘new face’ or an ‘old face’. Instead, as I have always mentioned, it must be based on al-Quwwah and al-Amanah as taught by al-Quran. Al-Quwwah means strength, the kind that represents capability or skill or efficiency in executing tasks. As for al-Amanah, it means elements of devoutness or trustworthiness in a person that ascertain he will not break his promise and diverge from the obligation mandated to him. This is similar to what Allah says in al-Quran (translated as): “Truly the best of men for thee to employ is the (man) who is strong and trusty.” (surah al-Qasas: 26).

When the delegates from Najran came to see the Prophet s.a.w and asked him to send them a representative who was trustworthy and capable only to guide them, the Prophet s.a.w said, “I will send an honest man who is really trustworthy.” Then every one of the companions of Allah’s Apostle wished to be that one. Then the Prophet said, “Get up, O Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.” When he got up, Allah’s Apostle said, “This is the trustworthy man of this (Muslim) nation.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Indeed, Abu ‘Ubaidah was famous for being a faithful Muslim who was firm in upholding principles and forewent all kinds of self-interest for Islam. With that record, his name was engraved gloriously in history as a governor who lived in much humbleness and spread justice to the people during the rule of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab.

I am of the opinion that I represent the voice of the people – in general – in this matter; that we request political leaders to send forward or nominate only those who are trustworthy to lead the people. He has to be but one who realizes that he will be questioned in the Day of Judgment about the obligation entrusted to him.

The Prophet s.a.w said, “A ruler who has been entrusted with the affairs of the Muslims but he makes no endeavors (for the material and moral uplift) and does not sincerely mean (their welfare) would not enter Paradise along with them.” (Reported by Muslim)

In another narration, he said, “Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

We do not ask for an ustaz or a sheikh to be named as candidates because those titles do not necessarily guarantee that they will be able to execute the duty entrusted to them. Trustworthiness is a conduct and personality that can be seen in the way a person lives his life and is not related to titles and names. Therefore, our request goes beyond names and titles but aims towards characteristics and credibility.

I do not intend to deliberate the issues on ‘old face’ and ‘new face’. Leadership is unlike meals that we want to try a different taste every now and then. It is not like tom yam or soup or mee bandung. Leadership is about fair-mindedness and the capability to execute the duty entrusted without exploiting it.

If the ‘old face’ has proven that he is capable to look after the people and the have-nots, spread goodness, instigate an environment that invites the blessing of Allah and His Messenger, advance the mind and possession, execute the worldly and religious duty then he is qualified to continue on. What is the point of having a ‘new face’ if his negative potentials are obvious right from the beginning.

However, if it is proven that the ‘old face’ has diverged and is untrustworthy, self-centered, has forgotten about the duty entrusted then this is a chance to renew such ‘face’. Allah says (translated as): “Allah doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are due; and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He who heareth and seeth all things.” (Surah an-Nisa’ verse 58).

Whoever possesses the characteristics that qualify him to gain authority then it should be given to him without asking whether he is an ‘old face’ or a ‘new face’. All the Khulafa al-Rasyidin ruled until the end of their life but the people still cried on their dying days, an indication that their service was still needed. It is unfortunate that there are among us these days that have only been in service for a few months and the people are crying because their service invites adversity.

The matters of qualification, expertise and intelligence are indeed crucial or even extremely crucial. However, if those traits are not accompanied with the feeling of fear of the entrusted duty that comes with the post then various harms instigated by misusage of intelligence will occur.

We are terribly tired over the ceaseless news in our mass media reporting trials for cases involving graft and abuse of power. This ummah has many obligations and tasks to be completed. We do not have enough time to entertain and sweat over such reports.

The important missions that this country inspires to accomplish will not be achieved if the flow of their implementations is kept being disturbed by untrustworthy hands that abuse the power given to them. The important and enormous missions of the country that we exclaim many times require the type of energy that possesses a big soul and is trustworthy.

Many of the Prophet’s companions were formidable in battlefields. However, the Prophet s.a.w did not make a crude selection in assigning someone for certain important missions. That is why in the Battle of Khaibar, the Prophet s.a.w said, “I will send forth a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him. He is not one who will flee from the battlefield.” Thus, everybody waited with anticipation. ‘Ali was elected and the flag was handed over to him. (Reported by Ibn Majah, sahih)

An accurate selection is important to ensure that visions and missions can be realized. Not all that assume impressive titles such as Professor or Doctor have the skills required for governance. The credibility in politics is different from one another. Although educational background is important but not all that are highly educated have the capability to excel in politics.

It is even more depressing if the selection is made based on family or friendly sentiments and not on capability and credibility. As we know, the Prophet s.a.w loved Abu Zar r.a one of his companions who was very pious. However, when Abu Zar asked for a post, he said, “I find that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons and do not manage the property of an orphan.” (Reported by Muslim)

Abu Zar was not weak because of a frail faith but because he had ineffectual leadership characteristics. Even the Prophet s.a.w did not elect Abu Zar due to his lack of characters despite of his love for him. Are we then supposed to elect our friends and family members even though they are not qualified? If we did that, it would be a breach of trust.

As I have stated before, we are destitute of quality leadership figures that can manifest the idealism capable to guide the nation so that their emotion is attached to the struggle championed by the leaders, a nation that is loyal without hoping for any returns and supports and upholds the aspirations of the leaders without yearning for rewards. .

This situation will not come about unless leadership figures whose personality is revered and sincerity is felt are born. In addition, his direction and execution of a struggle has to be clear. The personification of his leadership is not by his disposable wealth but by the matureness of his mind that is able to make wealth to function in a fair and glorious way. The slogans being shouted out are not just rhetoric anymore but instead are being applied and it starts from the leaders themselves. If leaders are only to make promises, many others can also make promises concerning various matters.
I am one of the commoners who are not politicians but are looking at the various behaviors of those from various political parties. Some are funny, some clearly lie, some are envious, some go overboard and some manipulate the name of the religion or race for their campaign and many more.
From the campaigning style, we can identify the character and party of the candidate. However, what needs to be reminded is that election season is not the time to legalize prohibited acts such that a person would feel that it is acceptable for him to lie, curse, dishonor, insult people without heeding the limits set by Islam, misuse his possessions and the likes of it.

The Prophet s.a.w said, “It is not a believer one who insults or curses, one who uses foul and abusive languages.” (Reported by al-Tirmizi, sahih). If that is how a person behaves even before he has any post, I propose that we do not give our vote to this type of people. That kind of behavior represents the shallowness and degraded manner of someone who does not know how to articulate his thoughts in a mature way.