Leadership in Islam: A Duty and a Trust
In Islam, the concept of leadership is viewed as a great responsibility, not a privilege or a position of power for personal gain. This is reflected in the Qur'anic verse Al-Qur'an 2:124 which implies that an oppressor is not fit to be a leader of the Muslims, regardless of what other qualities he may possess.
وَإِذِ ٱبۡتَلَىٰۤ إِبۡرَ ٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتࣲ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّۖ قَالَ إِنِّی جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامࣰاۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّیَّتِیۖ قَالَ لَا یَنَالُ عَهۡدِی ٱلظَّـٰلِمِینَ
And (remember) when Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) Lord tested him in some matters and he fulfilled them; He said, “I am going to appoint you as a leader for mankind”; invoked Ibrahim, “And of my offspring”; He said, “My covenant does not include the unjust (wrong-doers).”
Leadership in Islam is not about dominance, but rather about serving the community and implementing the laws of Allah on earth. A leader should be kind, compassionate, forgiving, consultative, resolute, and courageous. In addition, the leader should not be greedy, ignorant, unjust, or harsh.
The Qur'an also highlights the importance of leadership in the Prophetic hadith that even if three Muslims are on a journey, they must choose one as leader.
However, it's important to note that Islam discourages seeking leadership for the sake of power and glory. In a well-known hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said that he who seeks leadership is not fit to assume it.
Leadership in Islam is heavily linked to the concept of amanah, or trust. A leader in Islam is entrusted with the responsibility of guiding, protecting, and treating their followers justly. Leadership is seen as a responsibility and not an honor, with leaders expected to use their power and authority to benefit society.
In conclusion, whether you should seek or avoid leadership depends on your intentions and capabilities. If you seek leadership for the sake of serving the community and implementing the divine laws of Allah, and you possess the qualities of a good leader as described in the Qur'an and Hadith, then you should consider it. However, if you seek leadership for personal gain, power, or glory, then it is better to avoid it. As always, seek guidance from the Quran and Hadith in making your decision.