Islam Blog

‘Saddam Hussein was bad!’ most people would say. A cruel, heartless dictator who cared little for his people. Someone who didn’t even flinch at the thought of torturing someone, or snuffing out a life. Truth be told, I’d agree to some of these notions. There was even a time when it was nice to say all this. A time when you’d be seen as someone who stood for ‘justice.’ However, his death has exposed the ignorance and lack of wisdom in all who supported his ouster (even if it was silent). Wisdom that our religion tries to inculcate in us; if only we cared to educate ourselves.

Our deen lays great emphasis on the issues of leadership. This is why the salaf would pray for goodness in their leaders. They knew that in the goodness of a leader was the wellbeing of the people. A good leader is a shield for the people. Someone who protects their religion, their honor, their families, their properties…. their very existence. However, idealism apart, not all leaders were/are/will be perfect. They are human and prone to the very weaknesses that are inherent in us. It is taking this fact in to consideration that we should decide if a leader with all his shortcomings is good in the overall picture. And in that measure, I think Saddam Hussein was a good leader. He may have not been religious. He may have not been knowledgeable. He definitely wasn’t the most just leader. But he knew how to control people. He knew how to run a country. He made major blunders, but that he was an able administrator is something we cannot deny. Want proof?

Read this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7069943.stm

The state of Iraq today:

Me and my wife were watching movies a few days ago and I wanted to make us some tea.
I went to the kitchen and was filling the kettle from the tap water … I decided to fill a glass so I could see it.
What a shock. I immediately brought the camera and took the picture and video.
Is this drinking water or is it rice water? What are those floating things? I know about the cholera, I know it might be epidemic in Baghdad but I’d be so lucky if this water only contained cholera bacteria!
How could they give us this water? Why should I respect, obey or even recognise my government if they are not providing us with electricity, water, or even security?
Each Iraqi house should be a country and have a flag and its own government. I depend on myself for electricity, water and even security. What a farce.

This is just a sample. Not to mention the fear of being brutally tortured and murdered by ‘death squads.’ So why bring this up? It’s simple! If we don’t learn from our mistakes, we’re going to suffer repeatedly. Our attitude towards unjust leaders should be one of patience. We must first acknowledge that no one comes to power but by the permission of Allah . An unjust ruler is either a punishment for our sins or a trial from Allah . In either case, patience is the key virtue. What we must do in times of confusion is rally around trustworthy scholars. Not join activist groups or pseudo-Islamic movements with covert political agendas. What we must do is inculcate true taqwa and not revolutionary rhetoric. Most importantly, we must focus on gaining Islamic knowledge and translate that in to action. This is the only way through which true revival can come. Through the spreading of religious knowledge and practice. Not through elections, not through armed struggles, not through political agitation. These are all borrowed concepts that are contrary to the manhaj (methodology) of our beloved Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him] and his companions and those who followed them.

Let Iraq be lesson to all those who think that changing the matter of leadership can change the state of the Muslims. The truth is, this change is fraught with risks when there is no religious grounding and training amongst the people. Another lesson here is: Sometimes we simply don’t realize that a thing we despise exists for our own good.