By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, March 16, GNA – Sheikh Ahmed Adjei Adjetey, the Greater Accra Regional Imam of the Ghana Muslim Mission, has urged leaders and people in positions of authority to exercise justice, humility and accountability when entrusted with power.
He said power, knowledge and wealth were tests from Allah and must, therefore, be used to serve humanity rather than oppress others.
Sheikh Adjei Adjetey made the call during the fourth session of the Greater Accra Regional annual Ramadan Tafsir lectures organised by the Ghana Muslim Mission.
Speaking on lessons from the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, whose journeys covered the East and the West as narrated in Surah Al-Kahf, he said the Qur’anic account offered guidance on how believers should manage authority and responsibility.
He said Dhul-Qarnayn was a righteous and powerful ruler whom Allah granted authority, knowledge and resources, yet he remained humble and obedient.
Quoting from the Qur’an, the Regional Imam said Allah established Dhul-Qarnayn on earth and provided him with the means to achieve many things, stressing that leadership was a trust (amanah).
He said people in positions such as school prefects, teachers, parents, metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, members of parliament, ministers and presidents must exercise authority fairly and responsibly.
Sheikh Adjetey said the Qur’an recounted that when Dhul-Qarnayn travelled westward and encountered a people, he was given the choice to punish wrongdoing or treat them with kindness.
He demonstrated justice in leadership by declaring that those who committed wrongdoing would face punishment, while those who believed and performed righteous deeds would receive a good reward.
He said the lesson emphasised that Islamic leadership must be built on justice and accountability.
The Regional Imam noted that when Dhul-Qarnayn travelled eastward and encountered people living in extremely simple conditions, he realised he could not change their circumstances and moved on.
He said that showed that leaders must recognise their limits and understand when situations were beyond their control.
Sheikh Adjei Adjetey highlighted the episode where Dhul-Qarnayn assisted a community threatened by Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog), who were described as corrupters in the land.
He said although the people offered to pay him for his help, he declined the offer and instead asked them to support the effort with labour and materials.
Together, they built a strong barrier of iron reinforced with molten copper between two mountains to protect the community.
He said the action demonstrated that true leaders should not exploit people but rather encourage teamwork and serve sincerely for the sake of Allah.
Sheikh Adjei Adjetey noted that after completing the project, Dhul-Qarnayn attributed the success to the mercy of Allah rather than his own ability.
He reminded Muslims of the temporarity of all worldly achievements and that only the Hereafter would endure, urging believers to remain humble and just in all their dealings.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe