Ideally, the best nation is one governed by the wisest of men amongst its wise citizens—from the Prime Minister or President of the country to the ministerial level, members of Parliament and all ruling and decision-making people. The country is, perhaps, a utopia, however. The term “wise” does not only mean “having or showing the ability to make good judgements, based on a deep understanding and experience of life”, but also in its core sense that reflects “truth” and “integrity”. Only those who have “love for wisdom” (or “philo-sophia”, that is, philosopher) could be chosen as leaders, for only they who can manage the world with justice. However, “philosopher” does not mean in its strict original Graeco-Socratic sense and only a “philosopher” is qualified to rule. Rather, “philosopher” means a leader who is wise enough and loves wisdom, including truth, justice and integrity. Wise leaders are not necessarily leaders with the highest qualification or degree in education, because educational level does not necessarily reflect the true wisdom of a person. In the same spirit, Nobel Prize winner, Richard Feymann, used to say: “Never confuse education with intelligence. You can have a Ph.D. and still be an idiot.”
The current world, sadly, is mostly governed by politicians who are serving their own self-interests and self-ambitions, rather than to uphold justice in society. Their oft-repeated war-cry during election “for the people” is merely rhetorical and sugar-coated propaganda to win voters’ hearts to vote for them. In reality, only very few are sincere, honest and with integrity. Once elected, their true colours would emerge. Some politicians could “switch parties” at their own whims and fancies and leave behind the party they initially contested under, as well as the party people voted for during the election, for their own personal reasons and benefits that only they know, not to the knowledge of their voters. Hence, some countries, like Malaysia, have recently adopted the anti-hopping law in order to prevent switching parties after winning an election.
Politics in Islam is not about perception alone, as some secular people might think. To them, politics is a mere “art of perception” viewed from the perspective of voters. In Islam, politics is, first and foremost, a trust (amanah) and it boils down to integrity, too. It is all about upholding justice and truth in society. Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (May peace be upon him) when appointed as the second Caliph, used to say to the large audience of Muslims: “I enjoin you to follow me as long as I follow Allah and his Prophet. When there is any deviation on my part, correct me. If I deliberately deviate from the Truth, do not follow me. Pray that you and I may steadfastly keep to the path of the Truth enjoined by Islam”.
Unfortunately, some politicians would betray the trust given to them, yet simultaneously try their best to impress people by all means at the expense of undermining justice and even decisions made by the court of law whenever the decisions were not in their favour. However, when the decisions were in their favour, they would support the courts’ decisions and speak highly of justice. Such is, indeed, a hypocrisy. We have to learn to accept decisions made by the court of law, be they in our favour or otherwise, and educate our people to accept any decisions made by the learned judges, instead of spinning them as injustice, biased or unfair whenever decisions were not in our favour.
The Prophet had said that when it came to law, he would execute justice even to his beloved daughter, Sayyidatina Fatimah (may peace be upon her). It was reported from Aishah (Peace be upon her), in a long Prophetic tradition who said:
By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” (Sahih Bukhari vol. 4: No. 681).
Indeed, such is justice upheld as demonstrated by the Prophet even if it were to happen to his own beloved daughter. Such is also integrity and a non-compromising attitude of the Prophet to wrongdoings and corruptions even if it were to involve his own family members. Let us be among those who uphold justice and integrity in our lives irrespective to whomsoever and under any circumstances.