Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 833 [Read full issue]
Best Candidate
The best candidate, at whatever political level, is the one who brings together the three most essential qualities when it comes to seeking a political mandate (which essentially consists of serving the community): integrity, ability, and willingness to serve. It is for every citizen to evaluate, consider, and finally decide, case by case, in favour of the best, or sometimes the "least bad."
We should not necessarily choose a candidate who is a member of "the community": one can be a Muslim and dishonest, politically incompetent, and more concerned with titles than with serving people. To choose such a person, for example, would be a betrayal of principles. Did not the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "Anyone who appoints to a position an individual from a community when there is someone else more competent betrays God, his Prophet, and all Muslims"? [Hakim] The choice should be based on the balance between the three qualities referred to earlier and not on the religion or community membership of the person.
In the two situations, the act of electing and the hope of being elected, a civic ethic operates in the same way and makes the same demands: it calls upon responsible and independent individuals to know their principles, ethics, and environment, to decide on the ultimate aim of their commitment, and, in all circumstances, to be responsible for their actions.
Compiled From:
"Western Muslims and The Future of Islam" - Tariq Ramadan, pp. 170-171