In Surat al-Baqarah, Allah says:
وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ
“And when his Lord tested Ibrahim with certain words, and he fulfilled them. He said, ‘I am making you a leader for humanity.’ He said, ‘And from my descendants?’ He said, ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.’” (Surat al-Baqarah, 2:124)
Leadership is a test
We recite this ayah frequently and reflect upon it. The core concept of this verse is leadership. Allah made it clear that He appointed Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as a leader for humanity.
Allah uses the word ibtala, meaning that He tested Ibrahim (peace be upon him) through this appointment. Leadership is not merely an honour. It is a test.
Working with people is itself a test. This is why the Prophet ﷺ said:
المُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ، وَيَصْبِرُ عَلَى أَذَاهُمْ، أَعْظَمُ أَجْرًا مِنَ المُؤْمِنِ الَّذِي لَا يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَصْبِرُ عَلَى أَذَاهُمْ
“The believer who mixes with people and bears their harm with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not bear their harm with patience.” (Ibn Majah)
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was tested, and when he asked, “And from my descendants?” this was not about nepotism. Rather, he was concerned about the continuity of good leadership, the raising of good leaders, and the establishment of justice in every community.
The ayah mentions that Allah tested him “with certain words”. The books of tafsir explain that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was tested in obedience, leadership, and conveying the message. This is a test for all prophets, messengers, and leaders.
Among the seven categories of those who will be shaded on the Day of Judgement is a just ruler. The Prophet ﷺ said:
سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ: إِمَامٌ عَادِلٌ
“Seven people Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His shade: a just ruler…” (Bukhari)
Leadership is a responsibility
Leadership is a heavy burden. When Ibrahim asked Allah about his descendants, Allah directed us to the right answer: His covenant does not include the wrongdoers. This is a principle we must keep in mind when appointing leaders.
Leadership is a responsibility, and it is rewarding when it is fulfilled properly. But if it is abused, it becomes a burden in this world and the hereafter.
We must avoid appointing oppressors, wrongdoers, and those who support injustice and corruption.
The qualities of good leaders
The Quran outlines the qualities of good leaders.
Firstly, truthfulness. This is a rare quality in many leaders today.
Secondly, trustworthiness. If you cannot trust them, do not elect them.
Thirdly, strength. A leader must have the ability to carry responsibility and act decisively. Allah says:
إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِينُ
“Indeed, the best one you can employ is the strong and trustworthy.” (Surat al-Qasas, 28:26)
Fourthly, humility. A leader should accept discussion and consultation, not behave as a tyrant who refuses to listen.
Fifthly, mercy. A leader should be compassionate, but not weak. Mercy and strength must go hand in hand.
Sixthly, being approachable and loved by people. The Prophet ﷺ said:
خِيَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَكُمْ، وَيُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَتُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ
“The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you, who pray for you and you pray for them.” (Muslim)
These are the qualities we should look for in our leaders.
Leadership in action
Allah says:
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House with Ismail, they said, ‘Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.’” (Surat al-Baqarah, 2:127)
This shows that leadership is not just a title. Ibrahim acted. He built. He served.
He also made dua for the future:
رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Our Lord, make us submissive to You, and from our descendants a community submissive to You. Show us our rites, and accept our repentance. You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful.” (Surat al-Baqarah, 2:128)
This shows the concern of a true leader for future generations.
Enjoining good and preventing harm
Allah says:
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Let there arise from among you a group who call to good, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. They are the successful.” (Surat Ali Imran, 3:104)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الْإِيمَانِ
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” (Muslim)
Voting is an amanah
Next week we have elections. We, as Muslims, have a responsibility to choose the right people with the right character and the right attitude towards humanity.
Some believe they should not vote. I respectfully disagree.
When we do not have a perfect choice, we choose the best available option. This is the principle of choosing the lesser of two harms. Reducing harm is an established principle in fiqh.
Choosing the lesser harm is an amanah. We may be answerable for allowing the wrong person to come into power when we had the ability to reduce harm.
Allah says:
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.” (Surat al-Taghabun, 64:16)
If you cannot achieve the best outcome, then do whatever good you are able to. Preventing harm takes precedence over bringing benefit.
In some cases, harmful leaders win by just one vote. Do not think your vote is insignificant. Abstaining may mean missing an opportunity to reduce harm.
Voting is an amanah, and we will be asked about it.
Looking ahead
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) demonstrated active leadership by building the Ka‘bah. He did not delay. He activated his leadership.
He also showed vision by thinking about his descendants. He was looking ahead, planning for the future.
We need leaders who think beyond short-term gains. Leaders who consider what is best for the community and the country, not just the next election. Allah described Yusuf (peace be upon him, when he said:
اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I am a knowledgeable guardian.” (Surat Yusuf, 12:55)
We have seen leaders make promises and fail to deliver. We must hold leaders to account and avoid those who mislead and deceive.
There are good and dignified leaders out there. It is our responsibility to research and choose wisely.
I ask Allah to enable us to be people of goodness, justice, and fairness, and to grant us leaders who uphold truth and serve with sincerity.
Based on the khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 24th April 2026.