Q. An Ameer of a Jamaat and trustee of a Masjid shows no respect to others. He throws his weight around and expects everyone to bow before him as he has a lot of money. Is he justified in displaying such behaviour because of his status?
A. In fact, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said that the Ameer/Leader of a people is their servant. He is expected to serve others with humility and happily.
Akhlaaq (Good moral behaviour) is among the salient and incumbent teachings of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The following Hadeeth is salutary to those who harm and abuse others.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) once questioned the Sahaabah: “Do you know who is a pauper?”
The Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu anhum) replied: “A pauper among us is he who does not have any money.”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “Verily a pauper in my Ummah is one who will appear on the Day of Qiyaamah bringing along Salaat, Saum and Zakaat; however, together with that he had been abusive to this person, slandered that person and usurped another person’s money. He murdered someone and assaulted another. All those whom he had committed injustice to will be rewarded from his good acts until his good deeds are depleted. Then their wrong deeds will be dumped onto him and he will be dumped into Hellfire.”
