9. A Leader who Hides from the People

RasulAllah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam says, “Whoever assumes a leadership position amongst the Muslims and then hides away from the needy and poor, Allah subhaana wa ta’aala will veil Himself from that person and the needs of that person on the day of judgement.” If you assume a position of leadership and then refuse to meet the needs of the people that you are responsible, then on the Day of Judgment, when you need Allah, Allah will take revenge for those people and not help you.

With the khulafaa`, their doors were open for every need. A man came from Egypt to complain about the son of the governor of Egypt – the governor was ‘Amr ibn Al ‘Aas(ra) [a famous companion]. And the man came into Madinah and walked right in to speak with ‘Umar ibn AlKhattaab(ra). ‘Umar(ra) was not living in a palace or a castle; he was living in a very modest house. Amazingly enough, that house did not even have a door – there was only a curtain at the entrance. All you had to do was uncover the curtain. You just call from outside for ‘Umar(ra), and if he calls you in, you walk in and speak with him.

One of the kings of Persia came to Madinah to convey a message to the khalifa. He asked, “Where is the khalifa?” They said you might find him in the house or the masjid. The King went both places and didn’t find him. He came to the people and asked again. One of the men pointed and said, “You see that man sleeping under the tree? That’s the khalifa.” This Persian leader went and stood over ‘Umar(ra), who was sleeping under the tree in the desert, amazed, and said, “You ruled with justice, so you were peaceful and you were able to sleep!” He is comparing this situation to Persia – where it’s impossible for the king to sleep like this without royal guards surrounding him!

Hiding from the needs of the people is a crime. We need to redefine leadership. Whenever the leadership does something good in our society, we praise a lot whatever was done. We forget that it’s their obligation. They aren’t doing anyone a favor. That’s what they were appointed to do! When they do something wrong, we are quiet, as if they have a right to abuse the nations.

In Islam, the position of leadership is a responsibility, and you will be questioned about your responsibility.

We lost this concept, but the sahabah were very aware of it and it was alive in their hearts. One day, ‘Umar ibn AlKhattaab(ra) stood on the mimbar to give a khutbah. He said, “Listen and obey!” Salmaan al-Farsi(ra) stood up and said, “We’re not going to listen and we’re not going to obey!” Salmaan al-Farsi(ra) was amongst the righteous companions. ‘Umar(ra) said, “Why?” Salmaan(ra) said, “Because you have given every one of us one thawb (cloth) and you have taken two for yourself.” This is wealth that came to Madinah, pieces of cloth, and ‘Umar distributed them to everyone. He gave everyone one piece. Salmaan(ra) noticed that when ‘Umar(ra) stood up to give the khutbah, he had two pieces. ‘Umar(ra) didn’t speak, so he told his son, “Tell them, ‘Abdullah(ra).” So ‘Abdullah(ra) stood up and said, “My father is tall, wide and well-built. One piece of cloth is not enough for him, so I gave him mine. That’s why he has two pieces.”