السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Saturday 27th November 2021 / 23 Rabī’ ul-Thānī 1443H.
My chosen topic today is Abuse of Power.
Most of us, if not all, hold some kind of authority and power over others. We may not have realised this until now, but if you reflect and ponder upon it very carefully, you will most definitely agree with me.
Let’s start with the head of the household, the father. If Almighty Allāh has blessed you with children, you have authority over them. Similarly with the mother. In the case of the husband and wife, the husband holds the authority, although that seems to be changing now. If you are an elder sibling, you have some authority over your younger kin.
Moving away from the family, if you are a teacher, then you have authority over your students. An employer has authority over their employees. The list is almost endless.
My message today is that, in your role of authority, please take care to ensure you do not abuse the power you have. Some fathers are so strict that their children can hardly sit in the same room with them. Why? What’s happened to the ‘my little baby’ relationship?
All of us, in our positions of power, have to show love, respect, and compassion to the ones below us. It is so sad to hear the way some employers treat their employees, dishing out non-stop verbal abuse, including swearing and bad language, with some stooping to the extent of physical abuse.
Why? Simply because Almighty Allāh has bestowed His Favour upon you to be the Boss? Is that the way to show gratitude, and repay the favour? What authority will you have on the Day of Judgement?
My tone may sound very harsh, but the number of people I come across in my daily life who mention the way they are treated by those in authority is shocking to say the least. Some husbands are so abusive, that their wives are constantly living in fear. Why?
What happened to the ‘I will love you forever’ promise you made when you first met her? I can go on and on. To conclude, in your position of power, do not for one moment think you are untouchable. Be fair. Be just. Be honest. Be sincere. Yes most definitely fulfil your role. However, do not abuse it.
May The Almighty grant us all the ability to fulfil our responsibilities with compassion and fairness and protect us all from abusing the powers we have, Āmeen.
This message of mine needs to get to each and every person. Please share as widely as possible.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala