The most important conditions for rulership in the leader of the virtuous city
Selections from the Book The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq…
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (34)
1- Chastity from desires, to preserve oneself and maintain psychological strength: {And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants} [Yusuf: 24].
2- Patience in moments of anger, to control oneself: {They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before"} [Yusuf: 77].
3- Placing gentleness where it belongs and firmness where it belongs: {And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?} [Yusuf: 59].
4- His confidence in himself: {[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian"} [Yusuf: 55].
5- Strong memory enabling him to recall past events even after years, allowing him to manage policies and know people's deeds: {And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown} [Yusuf: 58].
6- Quality of vision and strong imagination, enabling him to envision things with clarity: {[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me"} [Yusuf: 4].
7- His readiness for knowledge, his love for it, and his proficiency in it: {And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allah. That is from the favor of Allah upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful} [Yusuf: 38]
8- His compassion for the weak and his humility despite his lofty status and high position. He addressed the two young men in prison with humility, saying: {O [my] two companions of prison} [Yusuf: 39]. He engaged them in matters related to their religion and worldly affairs, so he said: {Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers} [Yusuf: 37]. They testified to his excellence, saying: {indeed, we see you to be of those who do good} [Yusuf: 36]
9- Forgiveness with capability: {He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. May Allah forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful} [Yusuf: 92].
10- Honoring the family: {And bring me your family, all together} [Yusuf: 93].
11- The power of eloquence and clarity was evident in his interpretation of the king's dream and his ability to capture the hearts of both leaders and subjects alike, which was only possible through eloquence based on knowledge and wisdom: {And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted"} [Yusuf: 54].
12- Good planning: {leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat} [Yusuf: 47]. Then contemplate Joseph's (peace be upon him) mastery over the king's policy and how he attracted hearts through goodness; {And [Joseph] said to his servants, "Put their merchandise into their saddlebags so they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people that perhaps they will [again] return"} [Yusuf: 62]. He devised the clever ruse with the matter of the bowl and accused his brother of theft to keep him with him: {So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother} [Yusuf: 76]. And he treated the convicted according to their laws, religions, customs, and traditions, as is incumbent upon all noble and living nations, with gentleness towards the governed people. They were treated by their religion, customs, laws, ethics, and possessions according to what the noble Shariah dictates. This suited the rule of our master Joseph, peace be upon him. It was ordered by him to ask them: {They [the accusers] said, "Then what would be its recompense1 if you should be liars?"} [Yusuf: 74]. Thus, the law of the Prophet Ya'qub was for them to enslave the thief for a year with the owner of the goods, and he treated them accordingly. Hence, Allah, the Almighty, says: {He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allah willed} [Yusuf: 76]. Allah praised his excellent plan in politics and his consideration for the customs of those people. And this, even if it seems like a simple matter on the surface, is the essence of politics and the foundation of the sciences of governance, and it is the first thing that wise and insightful people recommend. These are some of the noble qualities and ethics summarized from the scholar of interpretation; Jalal al-Din al-Qasimi, may Allah have mercy on him.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq, pp. 636-639.
- The virtues of interpretation, (9/302-314).
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
