Prabowo: Authority Derives from the Almighty
JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto stated that authority and leadership derive entirely from the Almighty, Allah the Most High. He made this statement whilst delivering remarks after listening to a prayer offered by renowned Islamic scholar and Qur’anic interpreter (mufassir) Quraish Shihab on his behalf at a state-level Nuzulul Qur’an ceremony in the year 1447 H/2026 M at the State Palace, Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
“Increasingly I am aware that leadership is destiny and authority derives from the Almighty, and that authority is granted as a responsibility to defend truth, justice, and honesty,” Prabowo said on Tuesday evening.
He therefore expressed that the wisdom and sermon delivered by Quraish Shihab provided him with tremendous enlightenment. “It means a great deal to me, his enlightening understanding conveyed about justice. And also about the destiny of a leader trusted by the nation and people,” Prabowo said.
“The meaning of peace, the meaning of peacefulness, the meaning of reconciliation, can also help us understand that differences need not necessarily lead to division,” Prabowo added.
Previously, Quraish Shihab had prayed for President Prabowo to be able to conduct activities that bring prosperity to the people and create justice. A similar prayer had previously been offered by his teacher to the President of Egypt, containing words about authority deriving entirely from Allah the Most High.
“I wish to pray. First, for Mr. President. Sir, I have a teacher, sir. His name is Sheikh Mutawalli Ash-Sharawi. He once prayed for the President of Egypt. His prayer began with the words: ‘Authority derives from God,’” said Quraish Shihab on that occasion, Tuesday evening.
Quraish Shihab then followed the words of his teacher that were conveyed at that time to the President of Egypt. In his prayer, he hoped to be able to help the President if indeed the President was chosen and destined for the people.
“Then he said—and this is what I wish to pray for you, sir—he said: ‘I do not know, perhaps we shall not meet again. I can only pray, if Your Excellency is our destiny, the people—in the sense that God has destined Your Excellency to carry out activities that bring prosperity to the people—then we pray that we may be able to help you, sir,’” Quraish said.
“But if Your Excellency, if Your Excellency, he said, holds this position because it is Your Excellency’s destiny to help uphold justice and peace, then we will pray that Your Excellency is helped by God and we will help as well. That is our prayer for you, sir,” he explained.
The prayer of Quraish Shihab for Prabowo:
Allahumma Antas Salam, wa minkas salam, wa ilaika ya’uddus salam, ahyina Rabbana bis salam, wa adkhilnal jannata daraka daras salam.
English translation:
O Allah, You are the Source of Peace. From You comes peace. To You returns peace. O Allah, grant us to live in peace and admit us into Your Paradise, the abode of peace. O Lord of glory and majesty.