Who Truly Owns Power?
From Caesar and Khosrow to Today’s Rulers A Bitter Reality
By: Qaiser Khan
The history of the world is filled with powerful kings, emperors, and rulers who possessed great splendor and worldly glory. Once the majesty of the Roman Caesar echoed across continents, and once the Persian Khosrow ruled with awe and fear. Yet history teaches us a simple lesson: neither Caesar remained, nor Khosrow. Their thrones did not endure, nor their crowns. True sovereignty has always belonged to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and it always will.
Looking at today’s world, it seems humanity is once again repeating the same centuries-old mistakes. Drunk with authority, power, and governance, today’s rulers believe their thrones will remain under them forever. But the truth is that worldly thrones are weak and temporary. The one sitting on them may appear mighty for a moment, yet soon he disappears into the dusty pages of history.
Power But Against Whom?
The Governance of Umar (R.A.) Not Power, but Trust
Turn the pages of history and the brightest example of justice appears in the era of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A.). He was a ruler, yet his governance was free from the arrogance of throne and crown. In the darkness of night, he would walk through streets and settlements to ensure no one slept hungry, no oppressed person was denied justice. For him, leadership was not rule—it was a heavy trust. He once said: If even a goat dies of thirst on the banks of the Euphrates, Umar will be held accountable.
This was the sense of responsibility that strengthened states and elevated nations. His justice did not bow before the powerful, and it acted as a shield for the weak. If today’s rulers were to adopt even a single lesson from the governance of Umar (R.A.), neither oppression would remain, nor helplessness, nor deprivation.
But the tragedy today is that power is rarely shown against the powerful it is shown against the weak. The duty of the state is to support the helpless, yet the opposite picture is seen everywhere. Harsh laws for the poor, but the powerful remain above the law. In streets, police stations, and government offices, wherever a poor man goes, power is tested on him alone.
This attitude reminds us of the era of Caesar and Khosrow. And history’s verdict remains the same: whoever commits injustice perishes. whoever deprives the weak of their rights becomes a lesson for all.
Poverty A Permanent Wound
Today’s greatest challenge is poverty. Millions struggle for two meals a day. Inflation has stripped people of dignity. Bread, livelihood, and shelter these basic necessities are still a distant dream for many. If the state truly wishes to learn from Caesar and Khosrow, it must first look toward its weakest citizens, for nations are built not upon palaces, but upon the dwellings of the poor.
Governance Honor or Trial?
To become a ruler is not an honor; it is a test. One who carries the weight of the people on his shoulders must fear the justice of God, for earthly judgments can change but God’s judgment never does.
Our rulers must understand
Power does not come from weapons, but from justice.
Governance is not built on a throne, but on service.
Wealth does not grow from treasure chests, but from the sense of responsibility.
The Only Eternal King
At the end of this column, one unshakable truth keeps echoing in the mind
Caesar vanished.
Khosrow vanished.
Rulers across the world kept changing.
But the kingdom of the heavens and the earth has always belonged to only One Allah.
This world is temporary. Positions are temporary. Power is short-lived.
But the command of Allah, His system, and His accountability .are eternal and everlasting.
If today’s rulers choose justice, history will write their names in golden letters. But if their path remains filled with oppression, negligence, and arrogance, then their end will be no different from that of Caesar and Khosrow.
