Gives within Impartiality

Something unique came up during the election of the general leader of Organisasi Shiddiqiyyah last week. It was breathtaking yet meaningful and I'm glad I was involved in that election.

A leader is not only to lead
but also to give example to his followers

Being the general leader is not an easy task. I know because being the vice of general secretary, I had followed most of the activity of the previous incumbent. It takes great courage, sacrifice, determination and patience. Not only he has to give example in his virtues but also cleanse his inner self from any worldly interest, for he has to answer his motive of action to the Board of Custodian, the great master of Thariqah Shiddiqiyyah.

In the last election, there were five names came up. I could say I know the quality of each persons in term of their commitment towards the organization. Of all the five, the two names had more votes than the other three during the offer. It was a breathtaking experience. Because I wouldn't mind if the rival had at least same quality than the other, which was the previous incumbent. I know his health, his busy life, his family life, his sacrifice and his humility. And I felt my compassion to him in having another alternative being the leader of this organization, but looking at the second choice given, I couldn't let him go just yet. Not that I had any problem or held grudge to his rival. I only think of the future of the organization.


Understanding that can not be understood 

So in trying to avoid the worst, I tried to seek help to the Board of Advisor to give some speech before the election. However, they refused to take the chance. For they had been cautioned by the Board of Custodian to stay neutral and let everything took place as it should be.

Then after the election, the result turned the table around. The candidate which had the majority votes during the offer, had lost by half of his voters to the second candidate. So my previous general leader will lead the organization for the second time.

My analysis related to the event highlighted two wisdom verses from Tao Te Ching. The first one was the caused of the fall of the first candidate. The campaign of his spokesman wasn't respected by the audience, for in sufism world we don't respect people by their speech but rather by their virtues. And the spokesman may not know the rule of nature as stated here:

36. Opposition


To reduce someone's influence, first expand it;
To reduce someone's force, first increase it;
To overthrow someone, first exalt them;
To take from someone, first give to them.
This is the subtlety by which the weak overcome the strong:

Fish should not leave their depths,
And swords should not leave their scabbards.

The second wisdom was shown by the Board of Advisor as well as the Board of Custodian. They work on inner level for the sake of impartiality. For they all are the best candidates given according to the Board of Regional Leaders. Their state of impartiality was beautifully stated as below:

15. Enlightenment

An understanding so profound they can not be understood

The enlightened possess understanding,
So profound they can not be understood.
Because they cannot be understood,
I can only describe their appearance:


Cautious as one crossing thin ice,
Undecided as one surrounded by danger,
Modest as one who is guest,
Unbounded as melting ice,
Genuine as unshaped wood,
Broad as a valley,
Seamless as muddy water.

Who still the water that the mud may settle,
Who seeks to stop that he may travel on,
Who desires less than what may transpire,
Decay, but will not renew.


Being like water

So when the result came up, I felt so relieved. Allah had protected the authority of the organization by giving the task to lead the organization to the previous incumbent. Before the election the second winner had approached me and asked me to help him if he ever won the election. All I could say was if Allah willed, though I wouldn't be content if the greatness of the organization was disparaged by wrongly-chosen-leader. Now it is up to the general leader to utilize all the potential rivals to support his works in the next 4 years. Because apart from my partiality, I'd like to act like water should be:

8. Water

Be like water

The best of man is like water,
Which benefits all things and does not contend with them,
Which flows in places that others disdain,
Where it is in harmony with the Way.


So the sage:
Lives within nature
Thinks within the deep
Gives within impartiality
Speaks within trust
Governs within order
Crafts within ability
Acts within opportunity.
He does not contend, and none contend against him.

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ