THE DANGERS OF CORRUPTION IN LEADERSHIP

INTRODUCTION

When people talk about corruption the first thing that comes to mind is embezzlement of funds and bribery.  People that engage in such activities are called: corrupt persons.  Islamically however, corruption goes beyond these activities; it is viewed on a wider scale.  Corruption begins with the mind; a person that has an unclean mind is simply a corrupt person in Islam.  This uncleanness involves all the major sins abhorred by Allah (SWT) which includes; fornication, sodomy, drinking alcoholic beverages, murder, theft bribery and embezzlement of funds. To cleanse ourselves of corruption we have to begin by sanitising our minds; the Prophet (SAW) said: “There is an organ in a person’s body which if pure, the whole body will be pure but if it is corrupt, the whole body will be corrupt. That organ is the heart” .(Sahih Bukhari).  This Hadith simply tells us that our minds have to be clean in order to be free from corruption.

CORRUPT PRACTICES

All the major sins mentioned above are corrupt practices on their own however there are simple corrupt practices that people engage in; some people like to talk a lot; others like to gossip; others talk filth; while others use their tongue to lie and spread bidi'ah. For this discourse, we will look at the three (3) major corrupt practices indulged in by some of our leaders:

Fornication

Fornication is an addictive corrupt practice which is common with some of our leaders.  They take it for granted and once they begin indulging, they find it hard to stop.  Allah (SWT) instructed us not to even go close to fornication talk less of indulging;

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages

Drinking alcohol and taking other intoxicants is another practice indulged in by some of our leaders, this act goes hand in hand with fornication and the punishment by Allah SWT is equally severe.  In a Hadith, Ibn Majah reported that the Prophet SAW said: “Do not drink wine (or any intoxicant), for it is the key to all evils”.

 

Hypocrisy

Very few of our leaders escape hypocrisy, it is a common habit indulged in by politicians and it is a major corrupt practice.  The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: "the 3 attributes of a hypocrite are; (1) When he speaks, he tells lies; (2) When he makes a promise, he never keeps it and; (3) When he is given something in trust, he fails to fulfil it. (Bukhari & Muslim).

Leadership BY EXAMPLE

To check against these corrupt practices, our leaders should begin by setting good examples by shunning them. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Anyone who sets a good example in Islam, there is a reward for this act of goodness and added to it the reward of those also who acted according to it subsequently, without any deduction from their rewards." (Sahih Muslim). One of the qualities of a good leader is by setting good example to the people led by him.

GOOD DEEDS

A good leader sets good example by practicing good deeds and shunning all corrupt

practices.  Imam Shafi'i said:  "All humans are dead except those with knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere". These words simply summarise what a good leader should do in order to set good examples.

CONCLUSION

As the 7^th Assembly commences, our Legislators should bear in mind the consequences of corruption and lead an honourable life.  They should not be blinded with wealth by indulging in corrupt practices.  They should remember that the oath of allegiance and oath of office they take is not merely a formality but a covenant between them and the people they lead and also a commitment to good governance.  May Allah (SWT) guide us all. Ameen.

Kabeer M. Adamu

7^th July, 2011