Good Character, Corruption, and Leaders: A New Historicist Perspective on Al-Ghazālī’s and Mahathir Mohamad’s Values and Their Times of Isolation

• Main Author: D’Alton, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad Thoughts Institute (IPDM) 2017
• Subjects: HM Sociology
• Online Access: https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29837/1/JLP%2002%2001%202017%2058-82.pdf; https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29837/

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has often spoken on the theme of good character and against corruption, and asserts that leaders are particularly tempted by corruption, and that this in turn undermines society. Al-Ghazālī also warned against corruption and he taught that high moral standards must be gained through personal spiritual struggle against temptations. Such personal growth is essential for a leader to be respected and effective, and when leaders do not exhibit high moral standards then societies in turn become corrupted. The sustainability of any society depends on a level of moral strength that often dissipates over time. Ibn Khaldûn famously observed that the third generation of societies almost inevitably become lazy and corrupt, but this decline however is not inevitable if leaders develop a strong moral base for themselves and their people. This character can only be achieved through the specific disciplines of humility, honesty, selfcontrol, etc. as explained in depth by Al-Ghazālī. Mahathir too outlines a number of moral standards needed for any person or society to flourish, such as hard work, good behaviour, exemplary leadership, etc. This paper discusses aspects of the values of these two leaders, and the similarities between their approaches. It develops a New Historicist perspective and argues that the teachings of Mahathir and Al-Ghazālī on personal and societal moral excellence are derived from their particular historical contexts and their somewhat similar lived experiences of seclusion. Their times of isolation allowed them time to reflect and develop a coherent framework of teaching on values, and this is apparent in their works.