In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The Ambition of becoming a president
A question from one of our youth readers
>>I am currently in high school and want to get into politics when i grow older. I would like to run for congress and since i was born in America even hoping to become president. I strongly believe in seperation of church and state but will my decisions be considered as sins? (ex. gay marriage: I think when it comes to politics we have no right to make people feel bad about themselves since it won't make them give up there way of life)<<
Going into politics can be a great thing. When we consider that God is running everything, and that God is the One who grants us our guidance, then your desire to go into politics should be viewed as a direction from God. God willing you will go with God if you pursue a political career.
Regarding separation of church and state, I completely agree. But that doesn't mean forgetting to rule in accordance with God's commands.
[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
God gave us the freedom to choose which path we want to follow. As citizens in a free society, we don't have the right to impose one religion over another. Our elected officials don't have the right to impose any religion. People should be free to choose any religion, or no religion at all.
You are correct that we can't force gays and lesbians to change. But neither do we have to give them special rights because of their sexual persuasion. If two men want to live together it is their business. What they do behind closed doors should be just as private as what a married man and woman do. While the laws respect the right of family, whether parents, siblings, children or spouses, to make life and death decisions for a family member who becomes physically or mentally incapacitated, no such laws exist for gays/lesbians with regard to their partner of choice. There are legal instruments that allow us to appoint someone we trust to make those life and death decisions for us if we become unable. As individuals, we have the right to appoint anyone we choose, a trusted friend, for example, rather than a family member, to make life and death decisions for us. This is a right that should be available to everyone, a right not based on sexual persuasion. There is a difference between human rights and rights based solely on perverted behavior. God commands us in the Quran to write a will. Because God is the Most Merciful, He has given us inheritance rules in case we die intestate, before we are able to write a will. Two people of the same sex who wish to form a committed partnership should write a will to protect their wishes in the event of death. They do not need to protest and demand special laws giving them special privileges. Yet, we see society bending to social pressure because a minority wants to promote and impose their special interests on the rest of us.
If you pursue a career as an elected official, your first goal should be to avoid sin. Would you become a bank teller and then steal money out of the cash drawer? If you do not believe that it is possible to become a politician without deliberating disobeying God, then you should reconsider your priorities in this life.
Recall that David and Solomon were political leaders, and because they trusted God to guide them, God blessed their leadership. Sheba was a true submitter, as well as a woman ruler. When she saw the profound miracle of her palace arriving in Solomon's land before her own arrival, she submitted to God. Only the believers can see and appreciate God's miracles. Pharaoh was shown many miracles, yet he insisted they were clever magic. Pharaoh was arrogant, and in the end, he was the loser.
[2:251] They defeated them by GOD's leave, and David killed Goliath. GOD gave him kingship and wisdom, and taught him as He willed. If it were not for GOD's support of some people against others, there would be chaos on earth. But GOD showers His grace upon the people.
[27:15] We endowed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said, "Praise GOD for blessing us more than many of His believing servants."
[38:26] O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of GOD. Surely, those who stray off the way of GOD incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.
[38:34] We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.
[27:44] She was told, "Go inside the palace." When she saw its interior, she thought it was a pool of water, and she (pulled up her dress,) exposing her legs. He said, "This interior is now paved with crystal." She said, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. I now submit with Solomon to GOD, Lord of the universe."
[11:96] We sent Moses with our signs and a profound authority.
[11:97] To Pharaoh and his elders. But they followed the command of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's command was not wise.
[11:98] He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection, all the way to Hell; what a miserable abode to live in!
[27:12] "Put your hand in your pocket; it will come out white, without a blemish. These are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people, for they are wicked people."
27:13 When our miracles were presented to them, clear and profound, they said, "This is obviously magic."
[17:101] We supported Moses with nine profound miracles - ask the Children of Israel. When he went to them, Pharaoh said to him, "I think that you, Moses, are bewitched."
[3:11] Like Pharaoh's people and those before them, they rejected our revelations and, consequently, GOD punished them for their sins. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.
[8:52] This is the same fate as that of Pharaoh's people and those who disbelieved before them. They rejected GOD's revelations, and GOD punished them for their sins. GOD is powerful, and His retribution is severe.
Whether we become elected officials, or we remain citizens who vote for those elected officials, we have a duty, if we fear God, to choose our leaders with regard to righteousness. The following verses give us important guidelines for conducting our business and carrying out the most righteous actions:
[4:81] They pledge obedience, but as soon as they leave you, some of them harbor intentions contrary to what they say. GOD records their innermost intentions. You shall disregard them, and put your trust in GOD. GOD suffices as an advocate.
[4:135] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[6:137] Thus were the idol worshipers duped by their idols, to the extent of killing their own children. In fact, their idols inflict great pain upon them, and confuse their religion for them. Had GOD willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications.
[7:199] You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.
[53:29] You shall disregard those who turn away from our message, and become preoccupied with this worldly life.
[73:10] And remain steadfast in the face of their utterances, and disregard them in a nice manner.
76:27 These people are preoccupied with this fleeting life, while disregarding - just ahead of them - a heavy day.
[23:71] Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
If you walk alone, trying to uphold your own opinions, you will be easily confused and misled. If you walk with God, and maintain righteousness, God will not let you down.
[27:53] We save those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[27:54] Lot said to his people, "How could you commit such an abomination, publicly, while you see?
[27:55] "You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are ignorant people."
[27:56] The only response from his people was their saying, "Banish Lot's family from your town; they are people who wish to be pure."
[27:57] Consequently, we saved him and his family, except his wife; we counted her among the doomed.
[27:58] We showered them with a certain shower
[27:59] Say, "Praise be to GOD and peace be upon His servants whom He chose. Is GOD better, or the idols some people set up?"
[21:74] As for Lot, we granted him wisdom and knowledge, and we saved him from the community that practiced abominations; they were wicked and evil people.
[114:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[114:1] Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the people.
[114:2] "The King of the people.
[114:3] "The God of the people.
[114:4] "From the evils of sneaky whisperers.
[114:5] "Who whisper into the chests of the people.
[114:6] "Be they of the jinns, or the people."
To be an effective leader, you must stand on conviction, God willing, fighting in the cause of God. We have to base our position on the truth, even if it makes people "feel bad." This does not mean we humiliate people. It means we obey God's commands first, and do not subject ourselves to the desires of people who are not guided, or follow our own opinions. We should allow the misguided people to live in peace, only so long as they do not impose their corrupted views on us. God willing if you ever run for office and are elected, you will govern with God guiding you.