An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
13. Justice
~ 273 ~
A GOOD LEADER MUST ENSURE THAT HIS
ORDERS ARE EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT
“Suppose I appoint someone who appear to be a
good leader and command him to make justice his
ideal,” said Umar, “tell me – will I have discharged
my responsibilities?” Those assembled replied that
he would have done all that could be expected of
him. “Not so,” replied Umar. “I should also have to
see to it that he does as I command.”
(AL-BAYHAQI, IBN ASAKIR)
Whenever Umar appointed a new governor, he
would make enquires about him from envoys from
the land he ruled over. Was he a ruler who cared
about his subjects, did he visit slaves and walk in
funeral processions? Was he accessible to his people
and sympathetic towards those who came to his
door? If the answers were that he heard cases
sympathetically and looked after slaves well, Umar
would permit his rule to continue, but otherwise he
would promptly appoint another governor to
relieve him of his post.
(KANZ
AL-UMMAL)
