By Latheef Farook –
Latheef Farook
The opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena pledges straightforward life, Ven Sobitha Thero calls for social justice and Ven Athuraliya Thero struggles for excellent governance and accountability
Maithripala Sirisena says” on elected as the president he would not move into official residence Temple Trees but would reside in his own straightforward home. He has also declared his assets for every person to see. He is keen on major a straightforward life and serving the individuals of all communities.
As a result he calls for simplicity of life.
Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero who single handedly spearheaded the campaign to abolish the Executive Presidency with his National Movement for Social Justice wanted to ensure social justice for all in the country. He played a important part in the creation of a widespread opposition candidate. He should be paid tribute simply because he fought for justice at a time not a lot of in the nation were even ready to speak about justice due to fear of revenge.
Therefore he calls for social justice.
Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, a Buddhist monk, a vibrant politician and a dynamic member of the Parliament, formed an organization named ‘Pivithuru Hetak’ (The National Council for a Much better Tomorrow) to adjust the current presidential method by educating political leaders, intellectuals, academics and the public on essential information important on very good governance for the betterment of the nation.
Hence he calls for accountability and good governance.
Simple life, social justice and very good governance to the benefit of all are all what Islam is about.This is what Allah told us in the Holy Quran to make sure a much better society far more than 14 centuries ago. This is what our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) has shown us by living a life reflecting the Holy Quranic teachings. In reality he was the personification of all what was taught in the Holy Quran.
In truth fantastic Caliph Omar who constructed an empire stretching from North India to Mediterranean capturing which includes Jerusalem without shedding a drop of blood and ruled with justice was identified for his simplicity and just rule.
For example Caliph Umar, busy doing some official function in the light of an oil lamp, place off his lamp when a visitor who came to see him stated he had just come to pay a social call. There was darkness everywhere. When the visitor asked why he place off the oil lamp Caliph said “I was performing workplace work and the burning oil in the lamp is the property of the folks and he was not entitled to use that oil to entertain a friend”.
In this regard it is worth recalling how Caliph Omar captured Jerusalem with his simplicity.
When the Muslim army entered Jerusalem the Patriarch of the city Sophronius stated that he would negotiate only with Caliph Umar and that nobody enters Jerusalem prior to Caliph Umar. On hearing this Caliph Umar informed that he was on his way.
Accompanied by a servant, Caliph Umar rode on camelback to Jerusalem although he could have been accompanied by an entourage that could have made the ground tremble beneath the hooves of horses. He did so to show simplicity and ensure that Allah alone deserves all the glories.
On reaching Jerusalem, it was the servant’s turn to ride the camel and as a mark of respect to Caliph Umar and to make sure that the individuals see the Caliph, the servant wanted the Caliph to ride the camel. Nonetheless Caliph Umar refused and entered Jerusalem on foot whilst the servant rode the camel to the shock and surprise of every person such as Patriarch Sophronius. On reaching the place Caliph Umar continued the journey on foot carrying his shoes in hand below the astonished gaze of the folks.
Caliph Umar walked to the army wearing modest threadbare clothes. The Christians who watched almost everything from the walls of Jerusalem were amazed at the strange simplicity, unable to believe that this straightforward man could be the leader of these properly equipped armies.
The Patriarch Sophronius who saw the unfolding scenes with excellent admiration stated to his folks that no one in the planet would be capable to stand up to these men and women and advised them to surrender to be saved.
Soon after the treaty was signed the essential to the city was formally handed over in 637 AC. The gates of Jerusalem had been opened and Caliph Umar entered along a promenade that led him to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Caliph Umar was inside and the Patriarch Sophronius said to him “pray”. However Caliph Umar declined, fearing it may well establish a precedent that would threaten the church’s continued use as a Christian home of worship. Alternatively he prayed in an location to the south of the church, now the site of the Mosque of Umar in Jerusalem.
In performing so Caliph Umar showed the world the meaning of tolerance and generosity in victory and strength. It was the greatness of Islam that shone in his spirit and was reflected in his ethics though he was a particular person known for his firmness and courage.
United States President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all soaked in innocent Muslim blood, need to have to understand a lot from Caliph Umar on good governance.
With regard to Ven Sobitha Thero’s get in touch with for social justice , in the Holy Quran- in Chapter Al-NISA (Women) Allah says
“Believers, be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, even even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the wealthy or the poor, for Allah is far more concerned with their well-getting than you are. Do not, then, comply with your own desires lest you maintain away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the truth), know that Allah is nicely aware of all that you do. (from Sayyid Abul A’la Maudi’s Towards Understanding the Quran. Vol 11 Surahs four-6)
Ven Sobitha Thero and a lot of other individuals involved in the presidential campaign call for constitutional adjustments which assure accountability.
Islam advocates accountability “Abdullah reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) stated: Every single one particular of you is a guardian and accountable for his charge. Thus the Amir (Ruler or Head of State) is a guardian of the folks and He is accountable for them. And a man is a guardian of his household and he is accountable for them and a females is in charge of the household and her young children and she is accountable for them and a servant is guardian of his master’s house, absolutely everyone of you is accountable for his subjects” (Bukhari, al-Jam’al-Sahih)
Accountability for Islamic leaders goes beyond the confines of this life they will also be accountable to Allah in the Hereafter. Here are two relevant sayings from the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) about the consequences to Islamic leaders who are corrupt, and self-serving:
- “There is no governor who rules Muslim subjects and dies, obtaining played foul with them, but Allah will forbid him Paradise”
- “If he does not strive diligently to promote their welfare, he will not enter Paradise with them.”
“Verily, Allah commands you to make more than the trusts to these entitled to them. And that when you judge amongst them, you judge with justice.” (four:58)
Islam is also in total agreement with Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero’s call for a corrupt free of charge society below very good governance to the benefit of all. In reality this is what Holy Quran has been teaching for the past more than 14 centuries. This was the just rule in Madina for the duration of the time of Prophet Muhammad and beneath righteous caliphs. Regrettably western imperil powers distort Islam and demonize Muslims to invade and destroy Muslim countries and Muslim societies to loot their wealth and guarantee that Islam remains suppressed to suit their evil designs. Thus the planet is unable to comprehend Islam. Sri Lanka is no exception.
The Quran states: “And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been extreme and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you so pass more than (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them and seek the advice of them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a choice, put your trust in Allah, undoubtedly, Allah loves those who place their trust (in Him)” (three:159).
Exceptional Islamic leaders are truthful, just and keep away from bribery and corruption.
“And do not devour your wealth amongst yourselves by means of falsehood, and provide it not as a bribe to the authorities that you may possibly knowingly devour a portion of the wealth of other individuals with injustice.” (two:189).
Ibn Masud said that Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) slept on a reed mat and got up with the mark of it on his physique. He stated, “O Allah’s Messenger! I wish you would order us to spread one thing out for you and make anything.” The Prophet replied, “What have I to do with the planet, I am like a rider who rests for a although below the shade of a tree, then goes off and leaves it.” Ubaid-Allah bin Muhsin reported Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) as saying, “If any person among you is secure in thoughts in the morning, healthful in physique and has meals for the day, it is as even though the complete world has been brought into his Possession.”
Abu Hurairah reported Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) as saying, “Look at these who are inferior to you and do not appear at these who are superior to you, for that is far more most likely to hold you from despising Allah’s Favor on you.” Abu Talha said, “When we complained to Allah’s Messenger of hunger and raised our clothes to show we have been every single carrying a stone over our belly, he raised his garments and showed that he had two stones on his belly.”
Once Umar entered Prophet’s house and noticed the state of the furniture in it. Prophet himself had only 1 sheet of cloth round him to cover the decrease element of his physique. There was a single basic bed, with a single pillow filled with nut fiber on one particular side of the room was some barley and in a single corner near his feet was an animal skin. There were some water-bag skins hanging beside his bed. Umar mentioned that on seeing these tears came into his eyes. Allah’s Messenger asked the cause for his tears. He replied, “O Allah’s Messenger! Why shouldn’t I cry! The strings of the bed have left marks on your body. This is a tiny room with all your furnishings I can see what there is. The Kaiser (Cesar) of Rome and Kisra (Khosru) of Persia get pleasure from luxurious living while you, Allah’s Messenger and the Selected One particular, reside like this.” He mentioned, “Ibn Al-Khattab! Don’t you like that they decide on this planet and we choose the Hereafter?”.
In brief, Muhammad (Pbuh) lived and liked a straightforward life and enjoyed every minute of it. He taught his companions, via his private instance, to lead a straightforward life and not to be ostentatious.
Where are we following 14 centuries nowadays?
It is worthy to note that Islam and great Islamic rulers like Caliph Umar have disappeared from the Muslim Middle East which was turned into a killing field by United States, Europe and Israel in collaboration with the Arab dictators. All what we have is a group of treacherous anti individuals anti Islamic dictators serving their US-European masters who have installed and maintained them in energy to implement their evil agendas against Muslims.
This contains the land of Islam Saudi Arabia exactly where the ruthless dictator, the most oppressive ruler in the planet, brutalizing folks in comprehensive violation of Islam. Hence a single must not judge the present set of dictators in the Middle East by Islamic values.