The Destruction of Ad: Why Power Always Corrupt Elites
Power is an addictive force. It transforms the weak into the strong, the average man into a warrior and a small village into a mighty nation. This was the case for the people of Ad but was also the reason for their downfall. In particular, their tribal chiefs rejected Prophet Hud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and lead a hostile campaign to discredit him. But why were they hostile in the first place? What stopped Ad’s chiefs from engaging with their prophet and accepting Monotheism?
Umar ibn al-Khattab and the Ethics of Power
It is evident that the legacy of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه represented stability and justice, as expressed in the earlier article: How Umar ibn al-Khattab Changed A Nation. When comparing early Islamic leaders to contemporary politicians, a clear contrast emerges between selfless leadership founded on Islamic principles verses secular rulership operating on self interest and economic gain.