The Responsibility of Leadership
📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3575
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever seeks to be a judge over the Muslims such that he acquires it and his justice outweighs his tyranny, he will have Paradise. If his tyranny outweighs his justice, he will have Hellfire.”
This hadith emphasizes the great responsibility of leadership and justice in Islam. A person entrusted with authority over others must prioritize justice over personal desires or power. Leadership is a test, and accountability is directly linked to how fairly one judges and treats people.
- Seeking authority for service: The hadith praises those who desire leadership not for personal gain but to serve and implement justice.
- Justice outweighs tyranny: A ruler’s deeds are weighed—if their fairness and righteousness exceed oppression or misuse of power, they earn Paradise.
- Tyranny outweighs justice: If oppression, cruelty, or abuse dominates their rule, they incur severe consequences, including Hellfire.
Practical Lessons for Today:
- Leaders should prioritize fairness over personal benefit.
- Avoid favoritism, corruption, and oppression in any form.
- Leadership is a trust (amanah); accountability is in this life and the Hereafter.
- Even small decisions should be guided by justice and ethical principles.
- Individuals aspiring to positions of authority must train themselves in wisdom, patience, and fairness.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 4:58
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.
📖Quran 5:8
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.
📖Quran 4:135
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.