A Cursory Look at Some of the Speeches and Practices of the First Four Rightly Guided Khalifs of Islam: Lessons for Nigerian Politicians
Aliyu Ibrahim Kofar Sauri,
Department of Islamic Studies,
School of Arts and Social Sciences,
Isa Kaita College of Education,
Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.
E-mail: aliiyui.ksauri@gmail.com/aliyui.ksauri@yahoo.com
Abstract
Islam is a comprehensive way of life. It is more than being only a religion, because there is no aspect of life, which is vital for human development that Islam did not cover, such as economy, worship, culture and politics. The Khulafa’urrashidun (Rightly guided Caliphs) believed in the prophet (SAW) from the beginning of his message and they were his first successors after his demise. The experience they had on the concept of the ideal government of Madinah assisted them to demonstrate practical leadership of the Caliphate and how governance in Islam should be. This is done by actions and speeches they delivered when people elected them. The issue of justice “al-Adalah” to all citizenry is given priority in administering the affairs of the people of their own time as could be seen in the speech of Abubakr. He considered the week to be strong on the basis of his truth, while the strong to be weak if he is at wrong.
This paper intends to examine some statements of the Caliphs Abubakar, Umar, Uthman and Aliyu may Allah be pleased with them regarding governance. Their demonstration of dedication, selflessness, trust, and so on in administering the society will also be highlighted in the paper for Nigerian politicians to emulate for a better Nigeria. At end, the paper recommends that government has a role to play in ensuring better political leadership in Nigeria by compiling and teaching to the Nigerian Students some political write-ups and speeches of the past Muslims scholars.
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