Quraish Shihab Urges President Prabowo to Apply Abu Bakar's Principles to Combat Corruption

JAKARTA — Religious scholar and Qur’anic exegete Quraish Shihab has stated that justice and peace in Indonesia will be achieved if the supremacy of law is implemented, as practised by the Prophet Muhammad’s companion, Abu Bakar Ash-Shiddiq.

“Mr President, if we apply this, justice and peace will be achieved. Your intention to combat corruption can be carried out justly through an understanding of Sayyidina Abu Bakar,” Quraish Shihab said.

Quraish Shihab spoke at the state-level Nuzulul Qur’an commemoration for 1447 H/2026 M at the State Palace, Presidential Complex, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

He provided an example of the definition of “justice for the strong,” which was criticised by Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher.

“And there is another instance when Plato discussed with philosophers of his time, and one provided a definition of justice, saying, ‘Justice is siding with the strong,’” Quraish Shihab said on Tuesday evening.

At that time, Abu Bakar stated that he was not the best among men. He requested assistance if he was right, but asked to be corrected if he was wrong.

“Only then did he say, ‘The strong among you are weak in my eyes, until I recover the rights of others that they have taken. The weak, are strong in my eyes, until I restore their rights to them which was taken by those you call strong,’” Quraish recounted, exemplifying Abu Bakar’s statement.

Abu Bakar’s speech signified a leader’s commitment to upholding social justice and legal equality without discrimination.

Those weak physically or socially would be protected until their rights were fulfilled, whilst those strong and in power would face action if they committed injustice.

According to Quraish Shihab, peace will be achieved if the commitment to social justice and legal equality is implemented as it was during Abu Bakar’s era.