Leadership Is Not a Privilege, But a Trust

☕ KopiTalk with MHO

Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā 

Always render service with God’s guidance.

I remembered a time early in my career when I was asked to lead a small team despite feeling unready. That moment taught me what this verse truly meant - leadership is not a right. It’s a trust - an amanah.

Sometimes, the most powerful reminders find us when we least expect them.

I was flipping through the Qur’an one evening — not looking for anything in particular — when my eyes caught a small hadith printed quietly in the footnote. 

A short passage, but one that hit harder than many leadership seminars or best-selling management books I’ve come across.

“Barang siapa yang diamanahkan sebahagian urusan kaum Muslimin oleh Allah, kemudian ia menghindari, tidak mahu berbuat kebaikan untuk mereka, dan menutup diri daripada melayani keperluan mereka, maka Allah pun akan menutup diri darinya dan tidak akan melayani segala keperluannya.”
(Riwayat Abu Daud dan At-Tirmizi)

It stopped me cold.

This was no ordinary reminder — it was a message from Rasulullah ﷺ to every person entrusted with authority, power, or responsibility. 

It cuts straight through time to remind us: leadership is not about privilege; it is about service.

When Power Becomes a Wall

History records that when Muawiyah heard this hadith, he immediately appointed someone to ensure the needs of the people were met. 

That act of humility tells us everything we need to know about genuine leadership.

A true leader listens.

A true leader serves.

A true leader doesn’t build walls — he builds bridges.

Even in Brunei, we see this principle reflected in our national ethos — that power is a trust, not an entitlement. 

Whether in government offices, corporate boards, or community organisations, amanah remains the moral compass that keeps leadership accountable.

Today, some people in positions of authority — whether in government, corporate offices, or even community circles — may unconsciously distance themselves from those they are meant to serve. 

They become unreachable, hidden behind layers of formality or bureaucracy.

But this hadith reminds us that when we close our doors to the people, Allah may close His door to us. That’s not just a spiritual statement — it’s a principle of leadership accountability.

To Lead Is to Serve

In Islam, leadership is not about prestige or control. It’s about amanah — a sacred trust. Every role, every decision, every responsibility we hold is a form of ibadah (worship).

This message applies not only to politicians and executives but also to parents, teachers, entrepreneurs, and community organisers. 

Every one of us is entrusted with something — people, projects, or purpose — and we will be held accountable for how we serve them.

So, if you’ve been given responsibility, don’t ghost your people. Don’t lead from afar. 

Don’t make your position a shield. Leadership is about presence, empathy, and sincerity — not power.

Amanah in the Age of Hashtags

In our hyperconnected world, where “leadership” often looks like influencer culture — polished quotes, motivational reels, and corporate jargon — this hadith brings us back to what truly matters.

True leadership doesn’t need a spotlight. It needs sincerity.

It’s not about the followers you have, but the lives you touch.

It’s not about going viral — it’s about being accountable.

Gen X built the systems we work in.

Gen Y questions how those systems can be better.

Gen Z demands that leadership be human again.

And this hadith, spoken over 1,400 years ago, already gave us the blueprint.

Closing Reflection ☕

Leadership is not about being admired — it’s about being answerable.

It’s not about authority — it’s about responsibility.

When leaders serve sincerely, communities thrive.

When they turn away, society suffers.

May every leader, young and old, remember this:

When you serve the people, you serve Allah.

And when you close your heart to others, you close your path to Him.

🟫 KopiTalk with MHO – Reflections for the Mind and Soul

💬 “Leadership is not about being followed. It’s about being accountable — to the people, and to Allah.”

And when that trust is upheld with sincerity, barakah follows — in peace, in harmony, and in the hearts of those we serve.

☕ KopiTalk with MHO — Reflections on Leadership, Faith, and Service.