Quraish Shihab to Prabowo: Authority Comes from God
Muslim scholar Quraish Shihab offered prayers for President Prabowo Subianto during a sermon at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, 10 March 2026, at a commemoration of the Night of Nuzulul Quran attended by the President and his officials.
During his sermon, Quraish addressed the nature of authority whilst praying for Prabowo. He recounted that his prayer was inspired by one of his teachers in Egypt, Sheikh Mutawalli Sha’rawi, who had previously prayed for the Egyptian president.
“He once prayed for the Egyptian President. His prayer began with the phrase: ‘Authority originates from God,’” Quraish said at the end of his sermon.
In that prayer, Quraish explained, Mutawalli stated that no one is granted authority except by God’s will. “Whether a ruler is honest and follows God’s guidance or is disobedient, all authority originates from God,” he said.
Quraish then followed his teacher’s prayer for President Prabowo. In his prayer, he hoped the people could assist the president if God ordained the leader for them.
“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—meaning if God ordains Your Excellency to undertake activities that bring welfare to the people—then we pray that we may assist you, sir,’” he said.
“But, if Your Excellency, if Your Excellency said, holds this position because it is Your Excellency’s destiny to help establish justice and peace, then we pray that Your Excellency be assisted by God and we shall also help. That is our prayer for you, sir,” Quraish continued his prayer.
Quraish concluded his prayer with a supplication taught by Prophet Muhammad, requesting peace and paradise from God, the Most Peaceful.
After Quraish’s sermon, Prabowo praised the preacher’s message. The President gave remarks at the podium after Quraish finished speaking. “I am grateful, I thank you on this blessed evening I continue to be given lessons, given reminders, given added inspiration,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo expressed thanks to Quraish for the brief sermon. “Also for providing understanding of fundamental matters. The meaning of peace, the meaning of tranquillity, the meaning of harmony, and also for showing us that difference need not lead to division,” said Prabowo.
According to Prabowo, the sermon reminded him of the meaning of justice and understanding about the destiny of leadership. “What is most significant for me is the enlightenment of his understanding conveyed about justice. And also about the destiny of a leader who is trusted by the nation and its people,” said the Chairman General of Gerindra Party.
Prabowo stated that he is aware that leadership is a destiny that originates from the Almighty. “And authority is granted as a mandate to defend truth, justice, and honesty, and that authority is a duty to protect and bring welfare and justice to all the people one leads,” he said.