Delivering 'amanah' for the 'rakyat'

TODAY, Oct 1, the newly appointed Mara board resumes duty. It is therefore timely to highlight what this entails.
"Amanah rakyat" are two sacred words when taken together convey a multitude of meanings. Unfortunately, it is often taken for granted, especially when it is "hidden" in an acronym so much so that the "deeper" meaning is lost.
As such what is expected by the rakyat is not fully met. Worse still when it is squandered away at their expanse without them realising it.
In short, there is already a breach of trust, the very essence of "amanah", which is beyond the various lexical meanings of being reliable or even acceptance of the truth without evidence because it commands confidence. It is, essentially, about honesty at the heart of it all, beginning with oneself.
Hence, according to the Prophet (pbuh): "Man will go to sleep during which honesty will be taken away from his heart and only its trace will remain in his heart like the trace of a dark spot; then he will go to sleep, during which honesty will decrease further still, so that its trace will resemble the trace of a blister as when an ember is dropped on one's foot, which would make it swell, and one would see it swollen but there would be nothing inside. People would be carrying out their trade but hardly will there be a trustworthy person. It will be said, 'in such-and-such tribe there is an honest man', and later it will be said about some man, 'What a wise, polite and strong man he is!' Though he will not have faith equal even to a mustard seed in his heart."
That the heart is referred to is interesting because amanah always resides in the heart such that one does not need any further supervision.
It is inherent in the display of character, ingrained with utmost integrity and morality akin to virtuous and upright ethics, strongly upheld as a commitment to be kept at the highest level regardless of circumstances.
At the most esteemed level amanah relates to the covenant with God Almighty in ensuring faith as mentioned in the saying of the Prophet (pbuh): "There is no faith for the one who has no trust."
Indeed, it was reported that Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab said: "Do not let yourselves be impressed by the roar of a man. Rather, if he fulfils the trust and restrains himself from harming the honour of people (rakyat), then he will truly be a man."
Some have identified amanah and classified it into various contexts, like we are the amanah of God and thus becomes obligatory for us to avoid His wrath and whatever that is prohibited upon us. Our children and our spouse, for example, are the amanah upon us and it becomes obligatory to look after them well.
The country and the community is the amanah for those who have been entrusted to lead so that justice and peace always prevail. At a more functional level, the enforcement units are often on the front line, entrusted to serve and protect everyone. In this context, work is the amanah that must be carried out with the utmost honesty and integrity. The Prophet said: "Any man whom God has given the authority to rule some people (rakyat) and he does not look after them in an honest manner, they will not enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance."
To Muslims, the Quran is amanah to be read, in seeking guidance and understanding in order to maintain an Islamic way of life as much as the Sunnah is the amanah of the Prophet (pbuh) to avoid slander (fitnah) from disrupting individual and communal life.
In short, amanah generally includes everything that God has entrusted to us and instructed us to take care of.
That includes guarding anything that has to do with the rights and dues of others, namely the rakyat, and also refraining from engaging in anything that is not pleasing to the Almighty.
More specifically, however, it is about paying attention to the amanahs and fulfilling each of them, and not in any way neglecting or betraying them.
Based on this, what is meant by amanah for those in positions of power and responsibility (public or private), they should execute such positions with amanah in the delivery of truth and justice. Not just the acquisition of power including oppressive and corrupt ones.
In other words, leadership too is about amanah, be it judicial or managerial positions in any organisation, including that of the family and community, that is, the rakyat.
The Prophet (pbuh) said: "When trusts are neglected, then await the Hour."
When asked: How would they be neglected, O Prophet? He said: "When positions of authority are given to people who are not qualified for them, then await the Hour."
On this basis we wish the new lineup every success in the delivery of amanah for the rakyat and country without fear or favour. The rakyat awaits.
With some four decades of experience in education, the writer believes that "another world is possible". Comments: letters@thesundaily.com