Realizing The World

                                                                                    

                Islam commands person strictly to choose leader to live because if someone lives without any leader means that his or her life is haram. Because of the importance of leader in Islam, the criterion of leader becomes interesting to discuss, whether a leader must be a Muslim or non Muslim is eligible. This writing will examine that a Muslim leader does not guarantees that he or she has capability or integrity, and non Muslim leader can be a good leader for Muslim society.

                It has been claimed that a Muslim leader is better than non Muslim one. This is because of the assumption that a Muslim leader will bring people close to Allah. By applying syari’ah or Islamic law public will live in a harmony. For example, in the era of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), citizens in Medina whether believer on non believer lived together in one constitution so-called the charter of medina. Then, next generation, the generation of prophet’s friends continued the way prophet Muhammad lead and the result was Islam spread around the world. Therefore, people said that the most ideal period ever in the world is the period of prophet and two next generations after him. Because of his achievement, Michael H. Hart, a western writer puts this last messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on the top level of the most influential person in history. So, now Muslim must live under the rule of God, syari’ah, and in the name of Islam Muslim must choose the Amirul mu’minin, the leader of believer. 

                However, non Muslim leader can be a good one for Muslim society. One day in history, prophet suggested some of his followers to go to a city which was led by Christian leader. Abyssinia, the name of that city was led by king Negus, a good king because he led justly and indiscriminately. This indicates that even though the leader is not a Muslim but that person may lead the society well, he or she is eligible being leader. Furthermore, some Islamic counties nowadays which are guided by a Muslim leader are not really better than some advanced counties led by non Muslim. What happen in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Arab spring is proof enough that Muslim does not guarantee a good quality, capability and integrity being leader, king or president. Moreover, because of dreadful condition in MENA such as war In Syria, violence in Iraq, bloody coup d’état in Libya and demonstration protesting government in Egypt and Turkey, some citizens immigrate to European and American countries to live like England, French and U.S.A. So, whoever the leader, when he or she may lead well, the leader is justifiable.

                I personally think that the consideration to asses a leader does not depend on religion, race, sex, or any political background because leadership per se is a skill which can be mastered by anyone through some efforts including study. The leader must be integrated, trusted, and of course he or she must be strong.