The ulama who are joining politics, running for elective posts in every elections, may have in mind to influence the system with Islamic principles. As Islam is good, they think they can introduce Islamic principles in the Philippine political system and make such a system good too.
But reading history, we will come to know that no Ulama could thrive to be a political leader in the western-oriented democracy. Islamic leadership cannot thrive in a country like the Philippines with its present political system and form of government without sacrificng the principles of Islam.
Allah has addressed human beings as His representatives or vicegerents on the earth. To carry out this responsibility, He provides them with all the necessary skills, principles and tools to lead their lives towards glory and also to lead others towards realizing their fullest potential.
"It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" (Al-An'âm 6: 165)
As a representative of God Himself, human beings are assigned great faculties and qualities which if properly deployed could result in the achievement of miraculous goals. However to reach these goals one needs to follow certain principles and tools which are also known as success or leadership principles.
Where do these tenets come from? Where can we find them? How to get them and use them?
Sometimes ago, I had read a work of Dr. Adalat Khan, President of Mina Management Institute in Malaysia, in which he wrote extensibly about principles of Islamic leaderhip as a success model for every one and of all times, to wit:
Leadership is a great quality. Every group, be it of 2 or 3 people, organization, family, a company, or a country needs able and good leaders.
On the global scene there is a need for good leaders too as today the world is mired by international conflicts, wars and mutual suspicions which if not corrected can demolish the whole world.
The Islamic Leadership Model and the principles associated with it offer a leadership alternative which can open the door of excellence and achievement.
The principles are gleaned from the Quran the words of the Mighty Wise, the practice and sayings of Prophet Muhammad, the character and deeds of the Caliphs and other great Muslim leaders who with meager means and enormous hurdles reached the zenith of excellence.
These principles and their application are equally useful for every leader be they Muslim or non-Muslim as they transcend racial, religious, and temporal boundaries.
Understanding, acquiring, and application of these mega principles can open up the doors to success and progress in every human endeavour.
Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessing of Allah be upon him and his progeny) and his righteous companions and successors practiced these principles and achieved highest places in the annals of human history.
Needless to say, the Shariah which is the core of Islamic governance cannot be subservient before any other forms of laws. It cannot be possible therefore for any politician to influence the so-called western democratic system to the fullest with the Shariah..
I hope this will open the eyes of those Ulama and Muslims in general who aspire for political positions in our midst.