Fatwa ID: 04026

Answered by: Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh

Question

Assalamualaikum,

A question which I would you to clarify is since its mentioned in Hadith that one should not ask for positions, how does one deal with the Masjid elections and brothers trying to get vote for their party?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

There are indeed narrations discouraging people from seeking positions like the following hadith of Abdur Rahman ibn Samurah:

“The Prophet ((Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to me: O Abdurrahman! Do not ask for leadership for if you are given it due to your request, you will be left to yourself. But, if you are given it without having requested it, you will be aided in it (by Allah)”(Bukhari and Muslim)

However, there are situations in which this may be allowed and even necessary to put oneself forwarded for positions in order to bring about greater benefit and prevent harm. If a person is sincere and they know that they can do the job better and there is no one else worthy or qualified then there is nothing wrong in pacing themselves forward for a position and asking people to support them.

An example of this can be found in the story of Yusuf (Peace be upon him) when he said:

“Set me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge” (Surah Yusuf: 55)

Allowing unqualified people to take up positions in the community will bring about harm. Therefore if people who are qualified and experienced are able to place themselves forward in order to prevent this harm they should do so.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham