Amaanah

When "Amaanah" will be neglected, then expect Qiyaamah. Someone asked: How will it be abandoned, O Rasul (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) of Allah?

Rasulullah (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: "When important matters of Deen will be entrusted to those who are not competent, then expect Qiyaamah" (Bukhari)

Explanation:

When will Qiyaamah take place? This is among those things that nobody knows besides Allah Ta'ala. According to the Hadith reported by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu Anhu) and found in all the books of Hadith, Hazrat Jibril (Alaihis Salam) came to ask certain questions with the aim of instructing the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum). Among the questions, one was about Qiyaamah: متى الساعة (When will Qiyaamah take place). On this, Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) had replied:

ما المسؤول عنها باعلم من السائل

"The person who is being asked does not know this better than the person who is asking."

This shows that Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) also did not know when Qiyaamah will take place. Nevertheless Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned signs that indicate the approach of Qiyaamah. This Hadith is mentioning one of the signs that will appear before Qiyaamah. That is, there will be a time when people will no longer be able to assume their responsibility. This is because this responsibility will be entrusted to those who are not competent. It will be a time when people will no longer consider the criteria that must be considered before employing someone or entrusting him a responsibility. A person will get a task or a responsibility that he does not deserve just because he knows people. It is lack of honesty and knowledge that leads to such a situation.

It is due to this lack of honesty itself that one sees that there are incompetent people at the head of institutions. Each field has its people who can take charge of it. Not everyone can take charge of all fields. What will happen to that car and its passengers if the driver is not qualified? It is the same damage that one will see where there are no competent people.

A person is quite intelligent to choose the doctor who can treat his disease. In this regards, he does not take in consideration the colour. He neither considers the race nor the name. Bhai Abdullah will not hesitate to go by Dr. Rajesh or Ah Moy or Robert if he sees him competent. This is because his illness will be treated based on knowledge and competence and not through the colour or name of someone.

A country will progress when the institutions and departments of the country is functioning effectively. And this is achieved when there are people who can perform well. For this, one must consider competence and honesty. A country that observes these two criteria in employing someone and assigning responsibilities will always progress despite its restraint and limited resources. On the other hand, where there is consideration for other criteria to the detriment of these two criteria, then there will always be problems at all levels.

[English version of "Amaanah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.9]