THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: “Character is what you are in the dark.” – Dwight L. Moody Comment: This quote is made clear by Henry Huffman when he said, “Character is what you do when nobody is looking.” However, these two quotes need clarification, as we might have the mistaken notion that we can do whatever want to do, good or bad, for as long as nobody can see us. This, in fact, is the difference between the secular and the Islamic concept of accountability in governance. Unlike the secular concept of accountability wherein “public office is a public trust, and all public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people”, in Islam “public office is a Trust (Amanah) from Allah, the ever Hearing and Seeing.” Why are there cover-ups in criminal acts? Why do criminals burry or hide their victims? Why are there bogus vouchers and liquidations? Because for as long their crimes are not discovered, they cannot be held accountable before man. This is not so in Islam. Man’s character in Islam is connected to his faith. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Among the Muslims most perfect, as regards his faith, is one whose character is excellent.” Remember, whatever we do, be it in the dark when no human beings can see us, Allah is seeing us. “Lo! Nothing in the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah.” (Qur’an, 3:5)
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 01:20:20 +0000