0
0
Our society is full of innumerable ills. The ills are like raging hurricane which swept across a society and aimed at the very foundation of its civilizational edifices. It consequently left cracks in some of the edifices and collapsed others. This explains why virtually all our political, socio-cultural, economic, and religious institutions remain derelict. And when they seem to function, it is either they mal-function, dysfunction or under-function.
It is an immutable law of causality that all events have their root causes and effects. Certainly there are many factors that contribute to the societal mess into which we are enmeshed. Of these factors, leadership stands out as a prime factor. If wise people are wisely elected, it is just natural to expect quantum improvement on all fronts. Unfortunately, in democracy leaders are not necessarily elected by the wise but are elected by the mob. In that wise, sovereignty is located in the mob. This constitutes a core divergence between democracy and Islam.
It is apt to see democracy as a game of number. Its strength is expressed in numerical term. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry is a potential governor or president elect provided he can entrance the crowd. It is no surprise therefore why most elected officials are men of entertainment rather than men of understanding. Societal ills germinate under the rulership of men of entertainment who derive joy when the ills are ubiquitous; it is their source of strength. It entertains them. However, under the leadership of men of understanding, societal ills are minimized, if not eradicated. Sanitized society gladdens their hearts, strengthens their resolve, and brings them solace.
In view of the above, every sane human would like to be governed by men of understanding. So, who are they? Could they be Socrates and Platos philosopher kings? No! A philosopher king as construed by the duo only exists in the wonderland. Could they be the educated ones with varied categories of degrees (earned or honored) from the ivory towers? Not at all! These are the men of entertainment. For they are the very reason why we find ourselves in the current state from which we are struggling to exit.
The men of understanding, in addition to whatever number of certificates or degrees in their possession, possess some unique attributes which are found in Quran Chapter 13 verses 19-22. It says:
“Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed–Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the contract. And those who join that which Allah has ordered to be joined and fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of [their] account. And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with goodthose will have the good consequence.
It is clear from the above verses whom they are. They are different from the men of entertainment who either have forgotten their mission in life or do not know it at all. The Nigerian political landscape is dominated by men of entertainment. They entertain you with their ridiculous policies, plans, and programs which have no direct or indirect bearing on the governed wellbeing. All promises made by them when they sought your votes were immediately cancelled when they won elections. They named projects which were executed by tax payers’ money after themselves. They forgot they will stand before Allah.
They spread corruption on earth just to hold on to the lever of power. When out of power (as Nigerias Constitution does not allow them to perpetuate themselves), they perpetuate themselves by other means. They become godfathers and teleguide the destiny of the people as if they are next to Allah. Subhanallah! They do not advise, but command the mob whom to vote for. Their anointed candidates who must win the election must willingly submit the state machinery to them for absolute monopolization.
They discourage scholarship and deny the citizens access to education through deliberate policy of zero investment in education. They fear education may end up producing those men of understanding who might challenge their malfeasance. They make state sponsorship of examination mal-practice an unwritten policy which is rigorously implemented. The strategy is to produce foolish and pliable workforceignoramuses and bimboswho could be easier to control than donkeys. They are adept at subterfuge because they are men of entertainment. The fear of Allah has no place in their hearts.
Yet Allah did not create man for entertainment, wickedness, and corruption. Allah created man in his wisdom and mercy to be the best of his creatures. He raised him to an exalted position. He endowed him with countless bounties. He subjected other creatures to be subservient to him. He taught him knowledge and blessed him with understanding. But of all these endowment, nothing has been comparable in merit and virtue to understanding. The best gift of Allah to man is understanding. It is the source of guidance; the source of everything that is good and profitable; the key to his earthly and eternal happiness; his solace when confronted with the vicissitudes of life. No wonder the Prophet (SAW) once said: Whomever Allah intends goodness, He gives him understanding of religion.” Reported by Buhari and Muslim
Hence, the men of understanding, when in position of authority, take admonition. This single act makes good governance possible. They listen to the yearnings of the governed with the aim of addressing them. They impoverish themselves while serving their states. As they see it as a call to duty by Allah. They place high premium on scholarship since they have nothing to hide. They work day and night to make sure that our schools produce men of understanding who are not only certificated but are also characterized by those attributes adumbrated by Allah in the above verses. They appreciate the company of men of understanding who are not praise singers but sincere advisers. They have sleepless nights; thinking of the day they will stand before their Creator: naked, barefooted and uncircumcised to give account of their stewardship.
Do we have men of understanding in Nigeria and in government? This is a tough question to answer. So, why is the question asked if it cannot be answered? It is to enable us do self inspection, self assessment and ask people to assess us if we are men of understanding. The yardstick are those verses. If the assessment confirms you are, then you have qualities of leadership that can bring about good governance. Lets all memorize these verses and use them as mirror. Next time when you go to the poll, watch out for candidates with these qualities. We implore Allah to count us among the men of understanding.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen
salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
@salahuddeenAbd
Masha Allah.
May Allah reward you abundantly for your good works and efforts for a better society to materialize.
May Allah bless us with good leaders who will channel the resources of the land towards a good cause. And may we be among the men of understanding as stated in the holy Qur’an.
Jazakallahu khairan sir.
[…] that the Quran Academy was established to groom the younger ones in world class memorisation of the holy Quran and western […]
[…] new. He is only affirming the concept of ‘insecurity is worse than killing’ as stated in the Qur’an—this is […]