Undated

Admonishment for High Officials

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

The nawwabs and the rich of this age are engrossed in luxurious living. There is no attention towards religion at all. They are preoccupied in the pursuit of luxury and comfort of every kind, but are totally heedless of religion. Others also, upon attaining to some high post or getting appointed to a high office, become heedless and they no longer care for the welfare of humanity. It is commonly observed throughout the world that when a person achieves some high rank, he becomes arrogant, whereas he could actually do a lot of good work and be of benefit to humanity during his tenure. God Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

لَىِٕنْ شَکَرْتُمْ لَاَزِیْدَنَّکُمْ وَ لَىِٕنْ کَفَرْتُمْ اِنَّ عَذَابِیْ لَشَدِیْدٌ1

If you render thanks to Me, I will, surely, bestow even more favours on you, but if you are ungrateful, then know that My punishment is severe indeed; meaning that when a man is blessed with the favours of God Almighty, he should render thanks to Allah for them and think of how to be of benefit to the people, and if someone does not do this and instead starts to behave tyrannically, then God Almighty takes those favours away and sends down His wrath.

The lords and rajas of these days are simpletons and, in any case, engrossed in personal luxury and comfort. Other people should be mindful of the welfare of people, and should not neglect the matters that can benefit their countrymen. One should not allow high office to make him forget God and to become arrogant. On the contrary, one should work with kindness and compassion. Anyone who has an office of authority should be gentle and courteous in his dealings with all people, whether they be rich or poor. It will not only bode well for others but for himself as well.2