Highlight the responsibilities of civil servants in the light of Islamic teachings.

Introduction

A state deals with its citizens mainly through its officials. An honest law can fail in the hands of a dishonest officer, while a capable and honest officer can make even a weak system serve the people. For this reason, Islam gives great importance to the character of those in public office. A civil servant is answerable to superiors and to the law, but above all to Allah.

Civil service as a trust

The whole Islamic approach rests on the idea of amanah. Authority, public money, official information and working hours are all trusts.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَٰنَٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ …

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice." (An-Nisa 4:58)

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock" (Bukhari, Muslim). He told Abu Dharr (RA), who sought an office, that it is a trust, and on the Day of Judgement it will be a cause of disgrace and regret, except for one who takes it rightfully and fulfils its duties (Muslim).

Responsibilities towards Allah and conscience

God-consciousness

An officer should remember that nothing is hidden from Allah, particularly when no auditor is present.

… إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا

"…Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart: about all those one will be questioned." (Al-Isra 17:36)

Honest intention

Public service done honestly is worship. An officer who regards it merely as a route to power or wealth has betrayed the trust.

Responsibilities towards the public

1. Justice without discrimination

Decisions must be made on merit and law, regardless of class, sect, party or family.

… فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ …

"…So judge between the people in truth and do not follow your desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah." (Sad 38:26)

2. Accessibility

The Prophet ﷺ warned that whoever is given charge of the Muslims' affairs and shuts himself away from their needs, Allah will shut Himself away from his needs (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). Officers must be available to the public, not hidden behind layers of staff.

3. Courtesy and easing difficulty

"Make things easy and do not make them difficult; give good news and do not drive people away" (Bukhari, Muslim). He also prayed: "O Allah, whoever is given authority over my Ummah and makes things hard for them, be hard on him; and whoever is kind to them, be kind to him" (Muslim).

4. Protecting the weak

Pakistan's poor often suffer the most at the hands of officials. The Prophet ﷺ told Mu'adh (RA): "Beware of the plea of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah" (Bukhari, Muslim). Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) said in his first address that the weak among the people would be strong before him until he secured their rights.

5. Verification

Officers should investigate before they act, so no innocent person is harmed.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ …

"O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate…" (Al-Hujurat 49:6)

6. Timely service

Delay denies people their rights. A file left pending for a bribe, or through laziness, is a real injustice to a citizen.

Responsibilities towards the state and its resources

1. Honesty with public funds

The Prophet ﷺ rebuked Ibn al-Lutbiyyah, who had accepted gifts while collecting Zakat, and asked him why he did not sit in his parents' home to see whether anyone would bring him gifts (Bukhari, Muslim). This principle remains the clearest guide on conflicts of interest and official gifts.

2. Rejection of bribery

The Prophet ﷺ cursed the giver and the taker of bribes (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

"And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it to the rulers in order that you may knowingly consume a portion of other people's wealth sinfully." (Al-Baqarah 2:188)

3. Avoiding misuse and waste

Official vehicles, staff, buildings and electricity belong to the public. Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz is reported to have put out a state-funded lamp when turning to private matters. Whether or not every detail is accurate, the principle is sound.

4. Care for time

Time paid for from public funds must be spent working. Regular absence or using office hours for private activities amounts to a form of dishonesty.

5. Confidentiality

State secrets and citizens' personal data must be protected, and the Prophet ﷺ taught that confidential conversations are a trust (Tirmidhi).

Responsibilities towards the institution

1. Competence

The Prophet ﷺ warned that when authority is given to the unfit, one should await the Hour (Bukhari). Officers must keep developing their skills, and do their work with excellence.

… إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ ٱسْتَـْٔجَرْتَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْأَمِينُ

"…Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy." (Al-Qasas 28:26)

2. Lawful obedience

Discipline is vital, but "there is no obedience in disobedience to Allah; obedience is only in what is right" (Bukhari, Muslim). A civil servant should refuse illegal orders, record the objection in writing and accept the lawful consequences. This is also the essence of the Quaid-e-Azam's advice to civil officers in 1948 not to be pressured by politicians.

3. Political neutrality

A civil servant serves the state and people, not any party.

4. Merit in appointments

Recommendations by favouritism betray the trust. Hazrat Umar (RA) is reported to have said that whoever appoints a man out of favour or kinship has betrayed Allah, His Messenger and the believers.

5. Consultation

Officers should consult colleagues and experts, and keep proper records of decisions.

… وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ …

"…And consult them in the matter…" (Aal-e-Imran 3:159)

Examples from the early Islamic state

Hazrat Umar's (RA) conditions

He is reported to have required governors to live simply, keep their doors open to the public and avoid luxury. He listed their wealth on appointment and examined it later.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah (RA)

He served as an inspector who investigated complaints against governors.

Hazrat Ali's (RA) letter to Malik al-Ashtar

It told the governor to treat all people with mercy and to set aside time to listen to those who could not otherwise reach him.

Pakistan: problems and reforms

Pakistan's civil service faces political interference, frequent transfers, corruption, red tape and a colonial attitude towards citizens. Pay has also not kept pace with living costs. The Quaid-e-Azam told officers in Peshawar in April 1948 that they should do their duty as servants of the people, without fear or favour. Reforms should include merit-based postings with secure tenure, asset declaration, performance evaluation, digital service delivery and strong complaint systems such as the Pakistan Citizen's Portal and the Federal Ombudsman. Ethics training at the Civil Services Academy should use Islamic principles as a practical guide, rather than only as a matter of formal instruction.

Conclusion

Islam regards a civil servant as a trustee, answerable to Allah, the people and the law. He must be just, accessible, courteous and competent; he must guard public funds and time, refuse bribes and illegal orders, and treat the weak with special care. This is not merely an ideal, for the Rashidun state shows that it can work in practice. If Pakistan's officers took this view of their duties, then many of its problems of governance would begin to resolve themselves.

The writer can be reached at ma6749429@gmail.com