Who is suitable for political work?

The Shaykh : A thought occurred to me, and I hope that Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, makes it a thought of good, one that benefits the Muslims in general and the callers to Allah among them in particular. I mentioned earlier that focusing on political work is premature. However, the thought that occurred to me is that this work should be limited to a select few among the Muslims, as it is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) like any other specialized knowledge. Engaging the general Muslim population—whether they are scholars, students of knowledge, or others—in this matter is, in reality, a distraction and a diversion from what is more important for them than this knowledge. Therefore, I believe there are two possibilities in this issue, as my teacher Abu Malik mentioned earlier: either a scientific error or a psychological desire, and both are bitter. Either it is a scientific error, resulting from overestimating the knowledge beyond its actual reality; or one knows that this knowledge is a collective obligation, meaning that if some people fulfill it, the obligation falls off the rest, and that it is not an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) requiring the engagement of the general Muslim population. Or, one knows this but deviates from it due to a desire within oneself. This desire undoubtedly has many causes, all of which can be summarized in one word: "I am here." This is the love of showing off. It was said long ago: "The love of showing off divides showing off" or "cuts off showing off." This is what I wished to mention before answering some of the questions, perhaps including the one that just came to your hand. May Allah reward you. Drink and be delighted.

The questioner : Congratulations to you, O Shaykh, in the name of Allah...