Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
By the pen of Mahmood-ul-Bari ............................
Incompetent Leadership – The Decline of the Ummah
_____-_---_________
Alhamdulillah-illazi amrana bil-adli wal-ihsan, wa nahana aniz-zulmi wal-khiyanah, wa ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu, salawatullahi wa salamuhu alaih...
🔹 Introduction:
Respected Gentlemen!
Today, we will talk about a topic that is hollowing out the roots of our homes, our mosques, our organizations, and our Ummah.
The name of the disease we are suffering from today is:
"Incompetent Leadership"
This is not just a problem; it is the cause of the Ummah's destruction.
The Prophet ﷺ said a sentence that is coming true before us today:
"When affairs are entrusted to incompetent people, then wait for the Hour (the Day of Judgment)." (Bukhari)
Think! Isn't this hadith a picture of our situation today?
Are we not seeing worldly deals being made in the name of religion?
Are we not seeing who is making decisions for the mosques? Those who are not even committed to prayer themselves!
🔹 The Command of the Quran and Our Negligence
Allah Almighty has commanded:
"إِنَّ اللّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا" (An-Nisa:58)
"Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their owners."
This is not just a trust of wealth; leadership is also a trust.
This position is also a trust.
This chair is also a trust.
But what have we done today?
We have made wealth the standard.
We have considered fame to be perfection.
We have put piety, honesty, and knowledge behind us.
🔹 A Question: Where Do We Stand?
Respected Gentlemen!
Who are the trustees of your mosque today?
Does that person have knowledge of the Quran?
Is he committed to prayer?
Is he a well-wisher of the religion?
Or is he just someone with money?
Who are the presidents of our organizations today?
Are they concerned about the Ummah?
Or are they slaves to their own pockets and their own fame?
This question is for all of us.
Because the hadith says:
"Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock." (Bukhari & Muslim)
🔹 Historical Lesson
Remember! Why was the Rashidun Caliphate successful?
Because the leadership was in the hands of competent people.
Hazrat Umar (RA) said:
"Whoever becomes responsible for the affairs of Muslims and appoints an incompetent person to a position, he betrays Allah and His Messenger ﷺ."
Today, this betrayal has become common.
Positions are being distributed in the shadow of bribery, favoritism, and relationships.
🔹 The Scenario of the Present Era
Why are our mosques subject to disputes today?
Because the decisions there are being made by worldly people, not religious ones.
Why are organizations falling apart today?
Because their presidents are fame-loving, not honest.
And we are silent…!
We are seeing this injustice and doing nothing.
Isn't this a crime?
🔹 Consequences of Incompetent Leadership
1. Justice ends
2. Religion weakens
3. Youth become disillusioned with religion
4. Institutions become slaves to personal interests
5. The unity of the Ummah is shattered
This is not just the loss of one institution; it is the beginning of the destruction of the Ummah!
🔹 Practical Appeal
📢 Respected Gentlemen! Decide today!
We will close the doors of bribery and favoritism.
We will give positions only to those who are qualified.
We will prioritize honesty, not wealth.
We will not remain silent spectators.
📢 Remember! Whoever gives leadership to an incompetent person is betraying.
📢 And betrayal is the path to Hell.
If we do not change this approach today, then tomorrow our children will also be deprived of religion.
If we do not save the Ummah today, then future generations will curse us.
Can we bear this burden?
Can we answer before Allah?
If not, then rise today!
Give competent leadership to your mosque, your institution, your city.
🔹 Conclusion and Prayer
O Allah! Grant us the ability to entrust the trust to its rightful owner.
O Allah! Protect us from the trials of incompetent leadership.
O Allah! Grant honest leadership to our institutions.
Ameen, Ya Rabb-al-Alameen.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu