When unqualified and unfit people are placed in high positions, it means that society is headed for ruin.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned us that close to the Last Day, this dangerous mistake of giving big responsibilities to the wrong people will happen openly.
A man once came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! When will the Last Day come?”
The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “When responsibilities are handed over to people who are not qualified for them, then wait for the Last Day.”
— Bukhari
Examples from the Past
The great leaders of Islam always chose the best person for the job, even passing over their own children:
- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA): Even though he had a son, he chose Hazrat Umar (RA) to be the next leader (Khalifah) because Umar was the most qualified.
- Hazrat Umar (RA): He also had a son, but he did not make him the leader. Instead, he set up a committee (Shura) and left the final choice to the people to select the best fit.
- Ajmer Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Rah): Even though he had a pious son named Khwaja Fakhruddin, he chose Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki to be his spiritual successor.
- Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Rah): Even though he had a son named Nizamuddin, he appointed Delhi’s beloved saint, Nizamuddin Auliya, as his successor.
The Situation Today
Unfortunately, nowadays, from high government positions down to religious leaders (Sheikhs), people often make their own sons their successors. Today, we look at family relationships rather than actual talent and capability.
Just because someone has high degrees or good experience does not mean they are fit for every single job.
To carry heavy responsibilities, a person must have the right character. Positions of power and authority should only be given to those who can handle them honestly and with dignity. If positions are handed to unqualified people because of bribes, favors, or family ties, it will lead to disaster.
When we give a job to an unqualified person, it means we are rejecting the qualified one.
The Prophet (PBUH) warned us: If a leader ignores a capable person and appoints someone unqualified instead, he has betrayed Allah, His Prophet, and all Muslims.
— Hakim
A Warning for Leaders
The Prophet’s companion, Yazid bin Abu Sufyan (RA), shared this story:
“When Abu Bakr (RA) sent me to be the Governor of Syria, he gave me this advice:
‘O Yazid! You have many relatives there, and you might feel tempted to favor them. Be very careful when appointing people to important jobs.
I am deeply afraid because the Prophet (PBUH) warned us: If a person in charge of Muslim affairs favors his relatives and gives responsibilities to an unqualified person, Allah’s curse will be upon him. His good deeds and justice will not be accepted by Allah, and this could even lead him to Hellfire.
— Hakim
Therefore, those who manage public affairs must be extremely careful. If a leader shows favoritism to relatives or friends when hiring or appointing people, they will lose their rewards in the afterlife.
When someone is given a position, they are trusted with power. They must not use this power to become famous or to help their family and friends get rich. Similarly, using public money for personal benefit is a serious crime.
Allah says in the Quran:
ومَا كَانَ لِنَبِي أَنْ يَغْلَ وَمَنْ يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَ يَوْمَ الْقِيمَةِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
“Whosoever cheats or hides public property will have to bring that cheated thing with them on the Day of Judgement. Then every person will be paid back fully for what they earned, and no one will be treated unfairly.”
— Surah Ali ‘Imran: 161