Much has been said on the concept of leadership and leadership quality. Islam as an all-embracing religion and way of life does not limit governance to the performance of the leader in isolation, neither does it see leadership as an individual. It refers to it as an institution.Good governance also depends on other elements such as the consultative council (As - Shuurah), the ministers (Al - Wazaraah), the governors (Al - Wulaat) etc. These are the calibre and categories of people around the highest consultative council made up of men of knowledge and experience. They serve as advisers to the Amir or Imam as the case may be sometimes, the leader consults them individually or collectively when it comes to matters affecting the state. Their duty is to humanly guide the leader with their knowledge and experience though their advice is not binding. This is evident in the practice of the Holy Prophet (SAW) in consulting Abu Bakr Siddiq and Umar bin-1- Khattab when matters arose. It is also part of Allahs injunction that a leader should consult on matters affecting the development of the state. The members of this Shurah should not be selfish or greedy in their approach but should make the fear of Allah their watchword.The ministers represent the Amir at the various ministries acting in accordance with the dictates of the leader and not deviating in any respect. During the time of the Prophet (SAW), Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah was the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. The Prophet (SAW) said: Every community has her own trusted person, the most trusted person in my community is Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah. (Sohih)The ministers, according to Islam, should have stainless record and be of high level dignity and honour.The same applies to the governors who represent the supreme leader at the state levels. These governors should see their position as that of trust and not an ample opportunity to illegally amass wealth or embezzle public fund. They should bear in mind that Almighty Allah unto whom we shall all return shall call then to account.Islams rules and regulation are not lopsided but balanced. The masses are also duty-bound to obey their leaders as a directive from Almighty Allah. According to the Glorious Quran, Allah (SWT) says, O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Prophet and those entrusted with the position of authority among you. Q4 : 59.The Holy Prophet (SAW) says: Upon every human being is to listen and obey the authority in what pleases him and what displeases him except when he is commanded to what amount sins. If he is commanded to commit sins, he is not to listen and obey. (Burhari and Muslim).Members of the public have the duty to cooperate with the government in executing the constitution of the country. Also, they are to make proper use of government properties; they should neither vandalise them nor allow them to be vandalised. They are to report all moves or efforts to sabotage the good efforts of the government to the appropriate authorities and shun violence or wanton killings.Finally, Islam places much emphasis on the protection of religion and the establishment of justice. The government is to educate its citizens and ensure adequate security of lives and properties by ensuring that the state police (Al-Hisbah) is well established and monitored. The living standard of the people should be a thing of great concern while the masses maintain the law and order.
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