Search In Fatwa

Misuse of Power by Leaders and People

Question

What does Quran say about the normality of abuse in todays' leaders/politicians?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Allah ordered justice in His Book and forbade injustice as He Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.} [Quran 16:90] This Command and prohibition [in the verse] addresses all pubescent people and not only leaders and politicians.

Allah has also forbidden betraying Him, betraying His noble Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and betraying the trust. Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence].} [Quran 8:27] This prohibition also addresses all pubescent people and not only leaders and politicians.

There are so many fathers who are unjust to their own family and transgress the limits of Allah regarding them, and do not establish justice between them and betray the trust that Allah has entrusted them with, concerning the upbringing of their family, and raising them upon piety.

Additionally, many managers, officials, teachers and employees have betrayed the trust and did not establish justice and misused their limited powers that Allah has granted them. So, the matter is broader than to be confined to an unjust ruler who abused the power.

The verses that were mentioned in this regard include everyone. There are also many texts of the Sunnah about this, and the Sunnah clarifies the Book of Allah.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa