The article discusses “Responsibilities of civil servants in Islam CSS. Responsibilities and functions of public servants. What are the rights and duties of civil servants. Functions of civil servants. Responsibilities of civil servants in Islam CSS.”

Responsibilities Of Civil Servants in Islam CSS

Civil servants are government officials. They are employed by government to run one of its departments or agency. Civil servants are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. A government job is a sacred trust. The official responsibilities must be discharged with in line parameters set by the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). According to the teachings of Islam, civil servants have following major responsibilities:

Concept Of Public Administration in Islam

Unlike any other state system the responsibilities of civil servants in an Islamic state are dual in nature. On the surface of the earth they are held responsible to people and in the life after death they are accountable before Allah Almighty. The concept of accountability before Allah Almighty is even stronger in nature than worldly responsibility. In this regard a famous Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is

“All of you are shepherds and each one is responsible for his flock. A leader of a people is a shepherd and responsible for them. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and his children and she is responsible for them. And a servant is a guardian over his master’s property and is responsible for it. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges.” (Bukhari)

Civil servants are considered the custodian of people rights. Their one of the important jobs is to make sure every person gets equal rights and opportunities. They devised policies and also execute them. They therefore are duty bound to ensure none of the person’s rights are exploited or violated. The famous quotation of Hazrat Umar e Farooq (RA) about responsibility is

Governance Under Pious Khilafat CSS

“If a dog dies hungry on the banks of the River Euphrates, Umar will be responsible for dereliction of duty.”

In an Islamic state, civil servants are duty bound socially, morally and most importantly religiously to work within parameters set by Islam. Similarly an Islamic state also does not let civil servants completely free to work on their own terms and condition. It instead compels them to work within the boundaries set by Islam. The Holy Quran says

“These are the limits of Allah, which He makes clear to a people who know.” Al Quran

Islam demands punctuality and meticulosity from public officials. The concept of dual responsibility alone is not enough for civil servants to work meticulously. It wants to create a self awareness among public officials to work as per their official schedule. They should not be morally and duty corrupt.  

System Of Accountability in Islam

The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When any man does any work, Allah wishes him to give it perfection and grace (i.e. the man is expected to do his work in the best possible way)”. 

Other two important responsibilities that Islam demands from civil servants are honesty and trustworthiness. To be honest means the civil servants must comply with job requirements. He must be honest both with his duty and state. Trustworthiness demands reliability state affairs.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “ One who exercise his authority and power unjust way will not enter Paradise” (Ahmed , Ibn Majah, Tirmidi)

One of the most important duties of civil servants in Islam is to make every effort to denounce nepotism and corruption in department they work. To do so they will have to start with themselves first as charity begins at home.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whosoever amongst you sees an evil, let him change it with his hands; and if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then let him hate it in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.“

 In Islam authority can both be an honour or humiliation on the Day of Judgement. When it is executed honestly, the person is rewarded both in this world (monetarily) and in the life after death. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Authority is a trust. And on the Day of Judgment it is a cause of humiliation and regret except for one who fulfills its obligations and (properly) discharges the duties.” (Muslim)

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