It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “Beware, every one of you is a shepherd and everyone is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (as to how he conducted his affairs). A man is a guardian over the members of his family and questioned about them (as to how he looked after their physical and moral well-being). A woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children). A slave is a guardian over the property of his master and shall be questioned about it (as to how he safeguard his trust). Beware, every one of you is a guardian and every one of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Here, the government’s responsibility towards the citizens has been put on a par with parents’ responsibility towards their children. Just as the father is bound to ensure the maintenance and well-being of his family, the government is bound to ensure the moral, spiritual, social and economic well-being of its citizens, whose affairs it has undertaken to administer.
Like a shepherd, a father serves his family with a spirit of deep love, affection and self-sacrifice. Similarly, the rulers should serve the people of the State with the same emotions of love and sacrifice.