Lessons from Abu Baqr As-Siddiq’s speech on becoming the first Caliph – 5 Key Principles of Leadership & Governance

The entire inaugural speech of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) fits in a paragraph. But it was a classical and a moving speech. It touched upon several critical elements, including leadership, governance, justice, domestic & external affairs and relationships between the ruler and the citizens. It was a very brief yet a very comprehensive speech.

The Background The year is 632 A.D., the day is Monday, 6th of June. The Prophet ? had just died and yet to be buried. Losing the Prophet brought a huge void within the Ummah (Muslim community) and created an intense atmosphere of sorrow, fear, and disunity. One of the Islamic historians Ibn Rajab has written of the occasion as: “When the Messenger of God died, the people became shocked, bewildered, and confused. Some of them were stunned and became perplexed; others sat down and were not even able to stand; others lost their ability to speak; and yet others were in complete denial, refusing to believe that the Prophet was no more.”

There was no established system by which the Prophet’s successor – a caliph could be elected, and it was in this distressing atmosphere that the Prophet’s closest companions found themselves. A heated debate erupted between members of the Muhajirun (Meccan immigrants) and Ansar (Natives of Medina) as to who should become the Caliph and lead the Ummah. They convened in the courtyard of Banu Saa’idah (one of the tribes in Medina) to choose a leader. They didn’t want the State that was built over a period of 10 years to collapse. They chose Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) as the first Caliph. In his final days on this earth the Prophet had appointed Abu Bakr as the Imam (one who leads the prayer), and he led the companions in the salat (5 obligatory prayers).

The Speech?"O people, I have been appointed over you, though I am not the best among you. If I do well, then help me; and if I act wrongly, then correct me. Truthfulness is synonymous with fulfilling trust, and lying is equivalent to treachery. The weak among you is deemed strong by me, until I return to them that which is rightfully theirs, InShaAllah (God Willing). And the strong among you is deemed weak by me, until I take from them what is rightfully (someone else’s), InShaAllah. No group of people abandons military/ armed struggle in the path of God, except that God makes them suffer humiliation. And evil & mischief does not become widespread among a people, except that God inflicts them with widespread calamity. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. And if I disobey God and His Messenger, then I have no right to your obedience. Stand up now to pray, may God have mercy on you”

Stunning words of wisdom coming from a man who has just become the head of an Islamic State. Indeed, he acted like a seasoned statesman whose dominion was facing existential problems. He openly declared justice and truthfulness to be the foundation stones of his government. He steadfastly and with unique determination eradicated the menace of dissidence from the covenants of Islam and arrested the fissiparous tendencies arising within the wider realm of the Muslim community. ?

Five Key principles of Leadership and Governance

First principle:? Leadership vacuum should be addressed as a top priority

The Prophetic hadith that even if three Muslims are on a journey, they must choose one as leader, emphasizes the importance of leadership. Whenever the Prophet left Medina, he would appoint someone as leader in his absence. But now that the Prophet was gone forever, never to return, shock and paralysis besieged the Ummah. However, in this great of sorrow, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) showed courage and foresight. ?He prioritized holding the Ummah together and saving it from falling into disarray. ?

Second principle: The right of citizens to select, scrutinize and hold their leader accountable

The Caliph is not a King or a dictator who imposes his authority on the people through coercion and force. The Caliph’s authority to rule must be given willingly by the people through the Islamic ruling contract known as Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance). Without this pledge the Caliph cannot rule. The leader of the nation is elected through people’s consensus.

This pledge of allegiance is a collective obligation of the community. It is the right of all the people in the realm to participate in contracting the Caliph. However, it is not obligatory for them to practice this right as long as some from among the community are engaged in contracting the Caliph and hence the ‘collective obligation’ is met. Usually those involved in contracting the Pledge are a representative group of people with influence who represents the opinion of the people at large.

The Caliph/ Leader is not infallible, and he is not above the law. Freedom of expression to criticize and hold the leader accountable for wrong doings (decisions/ actions) and feedback are integral part of governance.

When Abu Bakr (RA) said “If I do well, then help me; and if I act wrongly, then correct me”, he affirmed the right of citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. Also, this makes it clear that the era of prophetic infallibility is over. From now on, the leaders are susceptible to making mistakes. Overzealous candidates desiring the position do not understand the gravity of the responsibility and its accountability to the people and God.

Third principle: The ultimate sovereignty belongs to God

Hence the leader is someone who is capable of upholding the divine tenets of:

- justice,

- sanctity of life, and

- a righteous way of life

over its people. Truthfulness should be the basis of all dealings between a leader and his people. He carries a two–fold burden in all his dealings of the affairs of the state – the trust of his people and adherence to the above tenets.

“Truthfulness is synonymous with fulfilling trust, and lying is tantamount to treachery”. Abu Bakr announced that truthfulness should be the basis of all dealings between a leader and his people. This needs to be the case if the people are to develop a sense of trust in their leader.

Fourth principle: Good governance hinges on a legal framework that is just, equitable, consistent, and transparent with an inherent mechanism for review and reform.

“Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger…..If I do well, then help me; and if I act wrongly, then correct me…”

Since one of the most important job of a leader is to issue laws and decrees to promote the well-being and overall good of the society, the leader should ensure he is not violating the tenets governance as noted in the afore-said 3rd & 4th principles.

Fifth principle: Struggle to eradicate corruption/ evil and establish a just order

One of the key responsibilities of a Caliph/ leader is to establish justice and equality, for without which there will be a state of anarchy and the leader will have failed in both his responsibilities – towards its people and as well as to God. Whenever it becomes necessary, the caliph/ leader should not forsake struggle (armed resistance or otherwise - speaking out at world forums and by legislative means in its own state) to restore order and justice, AND the people should support and join such struggle/ resistance as it becomes incumbent upon them to do so, lest God’s punishment befalls on that leader/ people/ nation.