PAS Scholars Must Produce Statesmen, Not Merely Chase Power, Party Leader Says

PAS’s religious scholars should aim to produce statesmen who leave a legacy, not leaders focused only on acquiring power, the party’s Ulama chief Ahmad Yahya said in Kota Bharu.

Speaking at the 65th annual conference of the PAS Central Ulama Council, Ahmad said Rabbani scholars had a major role as guides for the Islamic movement’s leadership. Their task, he said, was to help develop leaders with personal strength, broad vision and the ability to lead a struggle.

He pointed to Sheikh Aqshamsuddin’s role in shaping the character and foresight of Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih during the campaign to liberate Constantinople. For Ahmad, the example showed how religious guidance could help form a leader capable of building a lasting national legacy.

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A statesman does not speak only about power, but about how to build a legacy.

“A statesman does not speak only about power, but about how to build a legacy,” Ahmad said. “Rabbani scholars must guide the movement in producing statesmen.”

He said the Ulama Council must ensure that the party has scholars capable of developing strong statesmanlike leadership among its members. Such scholars, he added, must possess knowledge, understanding and wisdom so that the principles of Islamic law can inform responses to every issue and problem facing society.

Ahmad also called for deeper religious learning, or tafaqquh fid-din, in line with Quranic guidance. He said scholars must translate that learning into practical guidance for the community and be equipped with the knowledge and wisdom needed to address social concerns.

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Rabbani scholars must be full of knowledge, understanding and wisdom to ensure that the principles of implementing Islamic law can inform every issue and problem in society.