They seek justice for the weak ones against the oppressors by him.
They seek justice for the weak ones against the oppressors by him.” [^3] The need for a leader is clearly established from these words expressed by Imam Ridha . Just Leaders and Their Characteristics God has said in the Holy Qur’an that there are two kinds of rulers: just leaders and oppressive rulers. Each one has certain characteristics that we will briefly outline here.
Consider the following verse of the Holy Qur’an: وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَإِقَامَ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاء الزَّكَاةِ وَكَانُوا لَنَا عَابِدِينَ “And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practice regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Anbiya 21:73] The characteristics and duties expressed in this verse about leaders appointed by God are as follows: Guiding men by God’s Command Receiving divine inspiration to do good deeds, establish regular prayers, practice regular charity in order to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor To constantly serve God, i.e.
they must have served God to attain the position of leadership of the society. Leadership as a Requirement for Victory God has clearly stated strength and power as a requirement for a just ruler in the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an cites a few illustrative examples. One such example is the story of Talut that is also expressed in the Bible.[^4] Talut was a tall, strong and handsome man. He had strong nerves. He was very wise and intelligent.
Some say he was called Talut because he was very tall.[^5] Consider the following verse of the Holy Qur’an: أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الْمَلإِ مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَى إِذْ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيٍّ لَّهُمُ ابْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ “Hast thou not turned thy vision to the Chiefs of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Moses?