Question:
I heard that it is not permissible to love leadership, if so then what is the intent of the saying of Allah:
( ..وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا)
..“and make us leaders for the Muttaqun” (pious)
[Surat Al-Furqan: 74]
Answer:
In goodness, the person should desire to be a leader in goodness and not in evil
(وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ)
And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)
[Surah Sajdah: 24]
(وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا يُنْصَرُونَ)
And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped.
[Suratul Qasas: 41]
So, the person should love to be a key for goodness and a leader in goodness, so there is no problem to make this dua, as for loving leadership and to be the head of something then this is dispraised. As for wanting to be a leader in good and to be taken as an example in good then this is something which is sought in the religion. And Allah has praised this category:
(وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا)
And We made from among them (Children of Israel) leaders, giving guidance under Our Command
So, this is from the good invocations that a person asks Allah to make him a leader in good whilst observing his sincerity.
Answered by: Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al hadhramy – may Allah preserve him
Source: https://t.me/abubilalhami/2653
Answered on: 19, Safar 1441
Translated by: Abu Huthayfah Saamy Al-hindy