Influence of Accountability and Transparency on Governance in Islam

The world has reached a consensus that good governance is significant for human resource development in any society. It was on this background that this paper looks at the influence of accountability and transparency from Islamic perspective in achieving good governance in the society. This paper identifies the difference between conventional view of accountability and accountability in Islam. It revealed that Islam operates dual accountability. This owes to the fact that one is accountable to Allah as His khalifah on the earth and also he is also accountable to his fellow beings. This paper also pointed out that Islam lays emphasis on transparency in all transactions by citing relevant Ayah of the Holy Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet (S.A.W). The paper stated that good governance is achievable through the application of Islamic view of accountability and transperency. Finally, it recommended that emphasis should always be placed on the personality of a leader, who should be someone who has Allah’s consciousness in his actions and deeds, orientation should be organized for those in authority on the concept of Amanah in Islam and finally government should always run an open door policy.