Responsibility
is “a person’s feeling of moral obligation to the consequences of their
administrative actions, for which they are held accountable, whether good or
bad” (Arabic Language Academy in Cairo). It is also “a person’s bearing the
consequences of their obligations, decisions, and practical choices, both
positive and negative, before God first and foremost, before their conscience
secondly, and before society thirdly” (Miqdad Yaljin). Therefore,
responsibility, in its comprehensive sense, means “the innate predisposition
with which God Almighty created humankind to be fit to undertake the
responsibilities He has entrusted to them concerning their religion and worldly
affairs. If they fulfill their responsibilities, they will be rewarded; if they
neglect them, they will be punished” (Sajjad Ahmad Muhammad Fadl). Morally,
responsibility refers to a person’s commitment to what they say or do. Legally,
it refers to the obligation to rectify a wrong committed against another,
according to the law (Wikipedia). Hence, responsibility means being trustworthy
and reliable. It also means that a person is responsible for their actions and
takes responsibility for their mistakes. Therefore, they can be relied upon to
do what they say they will do in terms of tasks and obligations. Responsibility
also means that a person should be careful in their dealings with others not to
cause them any harm. A responsible person follows the rules of driving within
the speed limit, disposes of trash safely, protects their belongings, asks
permission before borrowing anything from others, and is just in their
treatment of those under their care, whether family or at work.
The
Quran mentions responsibility in several places, including the words of God
Almighty: "And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels, 'Verily, I am
going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.'" They
said, "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and
shed blood while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above
all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You?" He
(Allah) said, "I know that which you do not know." (Surat Al-Baqarah
2:11) That is, I will make people succeed one another in carrying out the rulings
and orders. And in His saying, “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He
gets rewarded for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that
(evil) which he has earned. "Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall
into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on
those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater
than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy
on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter, and Protector, etc.) and give us
victory over the disbelieving people” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:286). This means
assigning to servants the commands and actions within their capacity and
understanding. Each soul is responsible for what it has earned of good and for
what it has earned of evil. Al-Aqqad says, “The word ‘trust’ (or ‘trust’)
appears in five places in the Quran, all with the meaning of responsibility,
covenant, and accountability.”
In
the Prophetic tradition, responsibility rests upon every individual of the
Muslim community, as stated by the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be
upon him: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be asked about his
flock. The ruler is a shepherd and will be asked about his flock; the man is a
shepherd in his household and will be asked about his flock; the woman is a
shepherd in her husband’s house and will be asked about her flock; and the
servant is a shepherd over his master’s property and will be asked about his
flock.” He said, “I heard these words from the Messenger of God, peace and
blessings be upon him.” And he said, and I think the Prophet, may God bless him
and grant him peace, said, “A man is a shepherd over his father’s wealth, and
he is responsible for his flock. So each of you is a shepherd, and each of you
is responsible for his flock.” (Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar; Source: Sahih
al-Bukhari).
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