This being the case, it has become simple to assume that, since Truth is sometimes found there, the mentioned factors must be the main source.
And although many of us do not generally believe this to be the case, it is found to be a deep-set understanding in the sub-conscious of many
individuals. This is why learning the truth has become a journey that is crucial to undertake. It is no longer something you learn on your
mother’s knee, but a hard earned reward, the treasure found after the voyage of trials.
Keeping this in mind, the point of this article must now be turned towards and the factors involved must be explored. It must be understood that
the way the world is functioning and the way it should be functioning are obviously two separate things altogether. Allah Most Wise has made
human beings omnivores. We are on the top of the food chain. In the world of organisms, human beings are the most fearsome competitors.
Whether it is the Stone Age or today, life is not for us a quiet experience but a battle for survival. And one of the factors of survival is to
recognise and revere the individual who is most likely to survive.
This has been the pattern throughout, not only in human beings but also in other animals, such as wolves, elephants, lions and whales. And so,
the one most likely to survive is labelled as “the best” and is made leader. This puts that person into a state of authority. As leader, they are most
likely the best person to provide and protect the others. Islam is a religion that leads us towards life in the nature made for us by our Merciful
Creator.
[14:30] “Then set your face upright for religion in the right state-- the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no
altering of Allah's creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know—”
Consider the words “set your face”. This means that the “natural state” of which Allah Most High speaks is not a state we are already in, but
a state that must be adhered to. We must go towards the path of the natural state, and not assume that we are already there. This makes sense,
since life is a journey towards the Truth.
Now, since Allah Most Gracious has set for us certain laws that we try and live our lives by, we should question ourselves as to who it is, who Allah
has set as authority in the society. We know from the Quran that there are certain people who have been placed as authority over other people.
There are now two questions that we must ask ourselves:
The first question is, who are the people He has given authority to?
The second question is why does He give them authority?
Allah Most High has mentioned in many places in the Quran the authority He has wisely given to some over others. For example, the authority
of Talut (Saul) over his people.
[2:247] “And their prophet said to them: Surely Allah has raised Talut to be a king over you. They said, How can he hold kingship
over us while we have a greater right to kingship than he, and he has not been granted an abundance of wealth? He said, Surely
Allah has chosen him in preference to you, and He has increased him abundantly in knowledge and physique, and Allah grants
His kingdom to whom He pleases, and Allah is Amplegiving, Knowing.”
The authority of Prophet Solomon
21:81] And (We made subservient) to Sulaiman the wind blowing violent, pursuing its course by his command to the land which
We had blessed, and We are knower of all things.
Then there is the authority of common people over other common people, such as that of husbands on their wives.
2:228] “... and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them (women), and
Allah is Mighty, Wise.”
It is clear from the ayah that men are a degree above women. It must be understood that this is in perspective of authority, since:
4:34] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their
property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded;...”
So because men must take care of and provide for their women, they are thus in authority over them and have the duty given to them by Allah to
maintain their affairs and to protect them. This is a sensible system, since according to the laws of survival, men have the duty of bread earners
and also physically more dominant and have the responsibility of looking after their families.
Now, the question arises of why Allah grants some people authority. It is interesting to note that there are some in authority due to their having
earned it, such as the Prophets and the Imams (PBUTA). Allah Most Just has placed authority on these people because they had accepted and
lived by the rule that all supremacy belongs to Allah, the Most Glorious.
[2:247] “And their prophet said to them: Surely Allah has raised Talut to be a king over you. They said: How can he hold kingship
over us while we have a greater right to kingship than he, and he has not been granted an abundance of wealth? !