Law enforcement agencies carry a vital duty: protecting people's lives, property and honour, keeping citizens safe and suppressing crime. Against the backdrop of some members' recent involvement in crime, a piece on Daily Bangladesh's religion page sets out, in the light of Islam, the qualities of an ideal member of the forces.

The first is faith and fear of God. In Surah An-Nur, God promises believers who do good that He will replace their fear with security. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said a thief does not steal while he is a believer (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6782), and Surah Al-A'raf (7:96) ties faith and piety to blessings from heaven and earth.

Members of the forces take on the security of state and people by oath, and in Islam keeping promises and trusts is an important duty; Surah Al-Mu'minun describes successful believers as those who keep their trusts and promises (23:8).

Good character is essential, the piece says. The Prophet said nothing will weigh heavier on the scale on the Day of Judgement than good character (Abu Dawud, 4799). Alongside physical and mental fitness, the work demands judgement, self-restraint and firmness of character.

Citing Uyun al-Akhbar, the piece recalls an episode in which the need for a security chief free of moral weakness, just and not swayed by the powerful was stated, and Abdur Rahman ibn Ubaid at-Tamimi was then proposed. It concludes that competence, trustworthiness, justice, self-restraint and moral firmness are at the heart of the duty.

Photo: Amr Fayez / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Source: Daily Bangladesh