Al-Qalam 
By Imaam Asghar Khan
The need for religious values in society is now more important than any other time in the history of our civilisation, especially given the levels of corruption, unethical behaviour and conflicts the world is currently experiencing. Within this perspective it behoves all politicians irrespective of their political persuasion to adopt religious values for better and socially just governance.
All over the world ordinary people seek high moral standards in the behaviour of politicians which in turn could become the basis of people’s trust and faith towards them and indirectly in the practice of governance. This is why in order to maintain expected honesty and ethical standards in the behaviour of politicians; ethics has to be incorporated as an important subject in the practice of public administration.
What then would be the criteria for measuring ethical behaviour? How would we differentiate between right and wrong? Within societal norms there is no impersonal or universal standard of ethical behaviour – different human groups or even different individuals of the same group may have different perceptions of ethics. To take this point further, we would argue that if we acknowledge that people’s perception regarding right or wrong, good or bad is related to people’s or group’s interest and to the changing social customs and environment, these cannot be the dependable guide to our behaviour. Therefore, the universal basis for achieving uniformity in human behaviour regarding good and bad should be some impersonal ethical code, which can only be received from superhuman revelation i.e., religion.
Given the levels of global chaos there seems to be growing evidence which suggests that there is a need for strong spiritual reality in people’s lives. Some may, however, argue that a connection between morality and God is unnecessary to make sense of life. Others contend that religious faiths and spirituality are the foundations of ethical decision making. Despite the philosophical differences of different religions, the central message of every religious doctrine is to create the feeling among people that the existence and happenings of the universe are the result of the desire of a conscious and creative universal force. Another related realization is that man has got a spiritual relationship with this divine force. Owing to this realization, man has been asked to differentiate between right and wrong or good and bad. Without the existence of such a realisation, people’s perception of ethics is bound to be cloudy and would become dependent on expediency. As a result, the concept of ‘should and shouldn’t’ would be a relative phenomenon. This may then be subjected to misuse for personal or group interest. As man’s requirements are dependent on an ever changing social environment, in such a process, it becomes difficult to determine any stable ethical standard.
Influence
Religion, on the other hand encourages man to be acquainted with such an ethical standard which would be free from personal or social influence. For example, in order to free an administration from the influence of patronage or hatred in applying administrative discretion, the Holy Qur’an says to its believers: “O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witness for Allah, even though it be against yourself or (your) parents or (your) kindred, (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer up to both (than you are) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever informed of what ye do” (SuraNissa, 4:135);
“O ye who believe! Let not hatred of any people (or community) dissuade you from dealing justly. Deal justly, for that is closer to Godliness” (Sura Maida, 5:8);
“And O my people! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intend to do mischief (SuraHud: 85); and
“O David! We did indeed make thee a vice-regent on earth; so judge thou between men in truth (and justice); nor follow thou the lusts (of thy heart), for they will mislead thee from the path of Allah; for those who wander astray from the path of Allah, is a penalty grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account (SuraSaad, 38:26).
In the above verses, God Almighty has emphasized the impersonal value of public bureaucracy for the sake of establishing justice in society. These injunctions have been acknowledged as the important features of governance The above verses further prove that the Holy Qur’an is not meant for a special community, that it is the common heritage and universal guide for all mankind, irrespective of time and place. Followers of different religions or even those who are agnostics cannot but appreciate these injunctions of the holy revelations. If honesty and benevolence can be increased in the behaviour of public bureaucracy through religious teachings in public administration study, it would be beneficial to public interest – and should be practiced.
Religious values therefore are the building blocks and foundations of a morally just society and it is imperative for politicians to adopt and practice these values in the governance of their followers.
*Imaam Asghar Khan is a public representative of Al Jama-ah and serves as the leader of the party in KZN. He writes in his personal capacity.
