Religious Scholars Have Vital Role in Politics, Abubakar Tahir Argues
Religious Scholars Have Vital Role in Politics, Abubakar Tahir Argues
A security expert and Islamic scholar, Abubakar Tahir, DSS, mni, has argued that religious scholars should actively participate in politics and governance, insisting that moral and ethical leadership rooted in religious principles is essential for justice, accountability, and societal development.
In a scholarly paper titled “Why Religious Scholars Belong in Politics,” Tahir challenged the notion that clerics should remain confined to spiritual affairs while governance is left solely to secularly trained individuals.
According to him, the argument for excluding religious scholars from politics is based on a misunderstanding of Islamic political thought, which views governance as inseparable from faith and moral responsibility. He maintained that religion provides the ethical foundation required for effective leadership and public service.
The scholar noted that from the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the four rightly guided Caliphs, leadership and scholarship had remained closely linked, with governance guided by justice, wisdom, and moral integrity.
He argued that Islamic governance is not synonymous with the politicisation of religion, which he described as the exploitation of faith for partisan interests. Instead, he said it seeks to embed principles such as justice, accountability, inclusivity, and compassion in public administration.
Tahir further contended that leaders with religious knowledge serve not only as administrators but also as moral guides who remain accountable to both society and God. Such leadership, he said, strengthens democracy by aligning political authority with ethical values.
To support his position, he cited historical examples, including the Charter of Medina and the Covenant with the Christians of Najran, which he said demonstrated Islam’s long-standing commitment to religious freedom, coexistence, and the protection of minority rights.
He also referenced governance models under the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, as well as the Ottoman Empire’s millet system, arguing that Islamic political traditions historically accommodated diverse religious communities while promoting social harmony and justice.
Drawing from contemporary experiences, Tahir highlighted the administration of former Kano State Governor, , whom he credited with implementing reforms such as A Daidaita Sahu, Zauren Sulhu, and the strengthening of the Hisbah Corps to promote peace, ethical conduct, and social order.
He argued that these initiatives demonstrated how leaders with religious grounding could contribute positively to governance without imposing religious doctrines on society.
The scholar also pointed to the roles played by in Tunisia’s democratic transition and in Indonesia’s democratic reforms, describing them as examples of how religious scholarship can coexist with pluralism, democracy, and respect for minority rights.
Tahir maintained that excluding religious scholars from politics would deprive governance of the ethical compass needed to ensure fairness and stability.
He concluded that societies flourish when leadership combines moral clarity with practical expertise, stressing that governance rooted in justice, compassion, accountability, and inclusivity is more likely to deliver sustainable development and social harmony.
The security expert urged policymakers and citizens to reject what he described as a false dichotomy between secular governance and leadership informed by religious principles, arguing that both can work together to build stronger and more responsive institutions.
By TimesNG