...............continued from part 22
Stakes Versus Duty
As mentioned earlier, politics has its stakes, most, if not all, of which are temptable and irresistable. Islam's teachings on politics requires the stakes of politics for the purpose of propagation and safeguarding the faith. Those who are in charge of the leadership of the ummah must understand this academic peril-line and staunchly abide by it. The prophet Muhammad s.a.w. could have all the wealth that he wanted, but, upon his death, he had in his possession a wealth amounting to seven dinar, and he ordered the wealth be distributed as sadaqa (charity)(Haekal, op. cit. pp.625), so that by the time he deceased, he owned nothing. This tradition was strictly followed by the next four caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and 'Ali.
But the stakes of politics are so seductive and irresistable that many fall prey to them. Muawiyyah, the fifth leader of the ummah, after 'Ali, made the office of khilafah as the family's personal belonging, and thus started the first dynasty in the history of Islam - called mulukiyyah- the Ummayyad dynasty. From then on, the stakes of politics were more sought after than mirdhatillah مَرْضَاتِاللّهِ (Allah's acceptance).
The success of Islam of yesteryear was due to the ratio of stake over duty was in favour of duty. Over time, this ratio tilted towards the stakes until it completely overwhelmed duty, and hence Allah's help and gratitude was no longer forthcoming. The Muslims have to slog against all odds without devine help.
..................to be continued
