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What Does the Quran Say About Leaders?

Leaders are mentioned in the Quran in these verses:

 

[2:246] Have you noted the leaders of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, “If you appoint a king to lead us, we will fight in the cause of God.” He said, “Is it your intention that, if fighting is decreed for you, you will not fight?” They said, “Why should we not fight in the cause of God, when we have been deprived of our homes, and our children?” Yet, when fighting was decreed for them, they turned away, except a few. God is aware of the transgressors.

[7:60] The leaders among his people said, “We see that you are far astray.”

[7:66] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, “We see that you are behaving foolishly, and we think that you are a liar.”

[7:75] The arrogant leaders among his people said to the common people who believed, “How do you know that Saaleh is sent by his Lord?” They said, “The message he brought has made us believers.”

[7:88] The arrogant leaders among his people said, “We will evict you, O Shu`aib, together with those who believed with you, from our town, unless you revert to our religion.” He said, “Are you going to force us?

[7:89] “We would be blaspheming against God if we reverted to your religion after God has saved us from it. How could we revert back to it against the will of God our Lord? Our Lord’s knowledge encompasses all things. We have put our trust in God. Our Lord, grant us a decisive victory over our people. You are the best supporter.”

[7:90] The disbelieving leaders among his people said, “If you follow Shu`aib, you will be losers.”

[7:109] The leaders among Pharaoh’s people said, “This is no more than a clever magician.

[7:127] The leaders among Pharaoh’s people said, “Will you allow Moses and his people to corrupt the earth, and forsake you and your gods?” He said, “We will kill their sons, and spare their daughters. We are much more powerful than they are.”

[9:12] If they violate their oaths after pledging to keep their covenants, and attack your religion, you may fight the leaders of paganism – you are no longer bound by your covenant with them – that they may refrain.

[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of God. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

[9:34] O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people’s money illicitly, and repel from the path of God. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of God, promise them a painful retribution.

[10:71] Recite for them the history of Noah. He said to his people, “O my people, if you find my position and my reminding you of God’s revelations too much for you, then I put my trust in God. You should get together with your leaders, agree on a final decision among yourselves, then let me know it without delay.

[11:27] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, “We see that you are no more than a human being like us, and we see that the first people to follow you are the worst among us. We see that you do not possess any advantage over us. Indeed, we think you are liars.”

[14:21] When they all stand before God, the followers will say to the leaders, “We used to follow you. Can you spare us even a little bit of God’s retribution?” They will say, “Had God guided us, we would have guided you. Now it is too late, whether we grieve or resort to patience, there is no exit for us.”

[17:16] If we are to annihilate any community, we let the leaders commit vast corruption therein. Once they deserve retribution, we annihilate it completely.

[23:24] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, “This is no more than a human like you, who wants to gain prominence among you. Had God willed, He could have sent down angels. We never heard of anything like this from our ancestors.

[23:33] The leaders among his people who disbelieved and rejected the idea of the Hereafter – although we provided for them generously in this life – said, “This is no more than a human being like you. He eats from what you eat, and drinks as you drink.

[23:64] Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.

[28:5] We willed to compensate those who were oppressed on earth, and to turn them into leaders, and make them the inheritors.

[33:67] They will also say, “Our Lord, we have obeyed our masters and leaders, but they led us astray.

[34:32] The leaders will say to those who followed them, “Are we the ones who diverted you from the guidance after it came to you? No; it is you who were wicked.”

[34:33] The followers will say to their leaders, “It was you who schemed night and day, then commanded us to be unappreciative of God, and to set up idols to rank with Him.” They will be ridden with remorse, when they see the retribution, for we will place shackles around the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they not justly requited for what they did?

[34:34] Every time we sent a warner to a community, the leaders of that community said, “We reject the message you are sent with.”

[37:28] They will say (to their leaders), “You used to come to us from the right side.”

[38:6] The leaders announced, “Go and steadfastly persevere in worshiping your gods. This is what is desired.

[40:47] As they argue in Hell, the followers will say to their leaders, “We used to be your followers, can you spare us any part of this Hell?”

[40:48] The leaders will say, “We are all in this together. God has judged among the people.”

[43:23] Invariably, when we sent a warner to any community, the leaders of that community would say, “We found our parents following certain practices, and we will continue in their footsteps.”

 

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