Always Opt For The Best

Originally Posted On Mindanao Examiner:
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/opinion-always-opt-for-the-best-by-gamson-jr-mawallil-quijano/?fbclid=IwAR07ilz2wwTD5Hn7NWq-fJHZR5Qv5ZkbqqlQCNlvj4SDeOcW0aM4KF-A0AM


ALWAYS OPT FOR THE BEST
By Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano, RRT

Few days from now, the most awaited Philippines’ midterm election 2019 will take place. It will fall on 13th May 2019, Monday, which corresponds to 8th Ramadhan 1440H, should fast for this year starts on 6th May 2019.

It is the day of exercising the fundamental right of every registered voter that empowers them to choose the responsible leaders of tomorrow, a leaders that will serve as vicegerents of the people.

Consequently, it is incumbent upon every registered voter to go out and to freely exercise this right via casting the invaluable vote.

According to Everett Vasquez, “Voting not only enables the citizens to vote for political parties, but it also helps them to realize the importance of citizenship. Many people do not vote thinking one vote will not make a change, but as a matter of fact, it does. A nation’s political foundations are built using elections.”

Notwithstanding, everyone is a leader but only a selected few are a great leader. When we choose the person on this forthcoming poll whom will be leading us all the way, we must not choose him/her -with all due respect-, because we were given money beforehand. Instead, we must choose him/her simply because he/she possesses the qualifications of being an unprejudiced and trustworthy leader for us.

Certainly, our society needs leaders who are capable in addressing numerous societal dilemmas in a swift way as possible and who can turn his/her words into an adequate action in materializing his/her political agenda for the well-being of the people and society; not who only knows how to deceive people through flowery words that only entertain the ears of the public; a leader who has the sense of unifying and driving force for success.

Moreover, good leaders are responsive to the needs of those they lead. They adjust their behavior to best match the situation. They listen to their team; they value their team, and that’s the people who put them to their position.

However, it is woeful to note that in this contemporary era, ‘some’ leaders merely recognize the people during the course of their campaign period. But, when they successfully win the polls, they are reckless to their sworn mandates and responsibilities towards the people.

It should have been, when anyone yearns for an elective post and eventually win, he/she must bear in mind that ‘through sickness and in health’—as the saying goes, he/she must decisively execute the responsibilities that have been place upon him/her because he/she is the vicegerents of the people.

Laudably, there are still leaders who possess the true spirit of being an unprejudiced and trustworthy leader.

Leadership in Islam is an ‘amana’ or trust, and the Muslim leader must be trustworthy. In many of Ahadith, the Prophet Mohammad (sallaAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) has directly and indirectly explained the leadership qualities and the importance of leadership. In one of his Hadiths the Prophet (sallaAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and all of you are responsible for your flocks.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim).

As a matter of fact, from among the seven persons whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade is a ‘just ruler’.

Additionally, “Leadership in Islam is as profound as the intrinsic concept of Khilafa-Amanah; Each of us is a vicegerent, a steward, a shepherd of our flock but most of all such stewardship involves trust; A leader must believe and have faith in Allah and Islam is his/her comprehensive way of life; thus, is grateful and prayerful to Allah; A leader has a makhmun heart which is imbued with sincerity; A leader must have ilm and hikmah: knowledge and wisdom; courage and determination; A leader practices mutual consultation and fortifies unity; A leader consults the Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah; A leader practices good morality and piety; A leader possesses excellent communication skills; A leader upholds justice with love and compassion lillaahi; A leader practices beautiful patience based on spiritual resilience; A leader has lifetime commitment and faith to sacrifice lillaahi; A leader enjoins good and forbids evil but takes extra care to weigh its maslaaha (benefit) against its mafsaada (harm); most of all, loves and hates only for the Sake of Allah.” —Warina Sushil Jukuy posted on her Facebook wall.

Nevertheless, in order that we may achieve our ultimate goals of having a high morale society, everyone must help hand-in-hand and we must all do what we can, now. We must not just rely everything on our leaders. This is absolutely a collaborative effort that everyone must take part.

I perfectly resonate to what American author Matthew Lesko has said that: “Good government only happens when people working in it do their jobs, and do them well.” Indeed, union is strength.

We all yearn for positive changes to happen in our community, but we must always remember that even Allaah wouldn’t change our situation if we ourselves will not change.

Again, everyone is a leader but only a selected few are a great leader. Thus, when we choose the person on this forthcoming poll whom will be leading us all the way, we must not choose him/her -with all due respect-, because we were given money beforehand. Instead, we must choose him/her simply because he/she possesses the qualifications of being an unprejudiced and trustworthy leader for us.

Should everyone will be doing this, in shaa Allaah, we can have a good if not best community. These are only basic things that everyone can easily do on their own, but have impressively positive impact to a larger horizon.

To conclude, allow me to share these words of wisdom from Warina Sushil Jukuy: “Indeed, leadership (change) starts on one’s own self and at one’s own home and family."