The Fiqh of Governance developed by Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Council for Religious Opinion and Reform highlights an often-overlooked principle: healthy recruitment.
Public officials are replaced over time. Some complete their terms. Others leave for more complicated reasons. However, public office is not a personal inheritance. It is a trust that must be given to the most qualified person.
The fiqh of Governance identifies healthy recruitment as one of eight core governance principles. It requires appointments to be free from transactions, favoritism, and personal interests. Positions should be filled based on competence and moral credibility.
Without healthy recruitment, other principles (accountability, transparency, and oversight) rest on a weak foundation.
Islam provides clear guidance on appointing public officials. Allah Says in Surah Al-Qashash (28:26):
قَالَتْ اِحْدٰىهُمَا يٰٓاَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ ۖاِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْاَمِيْنُ
One of the two daughters suggested, “O my dear father! Hire him. A strong, trustworthy person is definitely the best to hire.” (QS. Al-Qashash: 26)
Both qualities, strong and trustworthy, are essential. A capable person without integrity is dangerous. An honest person without competence may be ineffective. Healthy recruitment requires both.
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH also warned against appointing less qualified people. In a narration reported by Al-Baihaqi, he stated that appointing someone while knowing a more deserving person exists is a betrayal of Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers.
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَنِ اسْتَغْفَلَ عَامِلًا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ فِيهِمْ أَوْلَى بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ وَأَعْلَمَ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَجَمِيعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ. (رواه البيهقي)
“From Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), who said: Whoever appoints a person to a position of authority among the believers while knowing that there is someone more deserving of that position and more knowledgeable of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet, has indeed betrayed Allah, His Messenger, and all the believers.” (Sunan Al-Bayhaqi)
This hadith shows that recruitment is not merely an administrative matter. It is also a moral and religious responsibility.
Too often, appointments are judged only by legal procedures. A decree is issued, a new name appears, and the process seems complete. The real question is different. Has the person passed a rigorous selection process? Has their competence been tested? Does their record demonstrate integrity? Or were those factors outweighed by personal connections, political loyalty, or convenience?
Allah also commands in Surah An-Nisa (4:58):
۞ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ اَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْاَمٰنٰتِ اِلٰٓى اَهْلِهَاۙ وَاِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ اَنْ تَحْكُمُوْا بِالْعَدْلِ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهٖ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ سَمِيْعًاۢ بَصِيْرًا
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to those entitled to them. And when you judge between people, judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (QS. An-Nisa: 58)
Classical scholars explain that this verse includes public positions and responsibilities. Giving an office to someone unqualified violates this command.
The Prophet further warned:
إِذَا وُسِّدَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ (رواه البخاري)
“When authority is given to those unfit for it, then await its destruction.” (Sunan al-Bukhari)
This destruction does not always arrive dramatically.It may appear as poor public services, weak policies, failed programs, and declining public trust. The Qur’an also emphasizes justice. Recruitment decisions must be based on fairness, not personal interests or group loyalties.
Allah says in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:8):
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُوْنُوْا قَوَّامِيْنَ لِلّٰهِ شُهَدَاۤءَ بِالْقِسْطِۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ عَلٰٓى اَلَّا تَعْدِلُوْا ۗاِعْدِلُوْاۗ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰىۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِيْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ
“O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (QS. Al-Maidah: 8)
Therefore, whenever a public position becomes vacant, one question should guide the process: Is this person the most capable, the most qualified, and the most trustworthy candidate available? If the answer is no, then a new betrayal has occurred, as described in the Fiqh of Governance.
The consequences may not appear immediately. They often emerge gradually, until the damage becomes too great to ignore.
Reference:
Muhammadiyah Central Board, “Fikih Tata Kelola”, in Berita Resmi Muhammadiyah: No. 06/2010-2015/Ramadhan 1435 H/July 2014 M, Yogyakarta: Gramasurya, 2014.
