THE LEADER OF A PEOPLE IS THEIR SERVANT

 

I would first like to commend and thank His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for reminding Malaysians of the famous quote that “no man can get rich in politics unless he’s a crook.” Regardless of whether one agrees fully with the statement or not, it opens an important moral discussion about political leadership, power, wealth, and responsibility.

For Muslims, perhaps this is also a good moment for us to reflect on the lives of the greatest political leaders in Muslim history: the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the first four caliphs, Saidina Abu Bakr, Saidina Umar, Saidina Uthman, and Saidina Ali.

What is interesting is that many of them did not begin as poor men seeking power to improve their lives. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had economic dignity through trade and through his marriage to Khadijah, a successful and respected businesswoman. Saidina Abu Bakr was a respected merchant. Saidina Umar came from a strong Quraysh family and was involved in trade. Saidina Uthman was among the wealthiest businessmen in Makkah. Even Saidina Ali, though not known for great wealth, came from noble lineage and lived a life associated with dignity, knowledge, and simplicity.

Yet once leadership came to them, power did not become a path toward personal enrichment.

In fact, one notices a remarkable pattern among the greatest early Muslim leaders. Many of them started life with far more wealth, comfort, and material standing than what they possessed at the end of their lives. Leadership did not make them richer. Leadership made them spend. Much of their wealth, energy, and resources were used for society, the poor, the nation, and the religion.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away leaving behind very few material possessions. What he truly left behind was not wealth, palaces, or luxury, but a civilizational legacy that transformed humanity. Saidina Abu Bakr spent much of his wealth supporting Islam, freeing slaves, and serving society. Saidina Umar ruled one of the largest empires in the world at the time, yet lived with extraordinary modesty and deep fear of misusing public wealth. Saidina Uthman used enormous amounts of personal wealth for the ummah, public good, and the needs of society. Saidina Ali became known not for riches, but for justice, humility, sacrifice, and knowledge.

There seems to be an important lesson here. The greatest Muslim political leaders often began relatively well-off, yet by the end of their leadership and lives, many lived modestly and possessed far less materially than when they started. Their wealth flowed outward toward society rather than inward toward themselves.

The point here is not that Islam rejects wealth. Islam does not reject success, business, or prosperity. In fact, many early Muslim leaders were successful individuals before leadership.

The deeper lesson is this: leadership in Islam was never meant to be a money-making business for oneself, family, and cronies.

Power was seen as an amanah. Leadership was a responsibility before Allah and society. Wealth was to serve the people, not the other way around.

Perhaps this is something Muslim societies, including Malaysia, should reflect upon carefully.

Today, many political leaders speak about defending Islam, protecting Muslims, fighting for the ummah, or championing religion. Such words are important. But words alone are never enough.

Those who wish to lead in the name of Islam must also be willing to emulate the moral burden carried by the Prophet ﷺ and the first four caliphs. They must be willing to embrace accountability, sacrifice, simplicity, humility, and service. Before gallantly proclaiming that one is fighting for Islam or protecting Muslims, one must first be willing to choose a modest and responsible life.

As voters and citizens, perhaps we too must learn to judge leadership not merely by slogans and speeches, but by character, sacrifice, conduct, priorities, and lifestyle. We must ask whether our leaders truly embody the spirit of amanah shown by the earliest leaders of Islam.

As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us:

“The leader of a people is their servant.”

Peace.

Anas Zubedy