Islamic Leadership
Allah (Swt) has addressed the believers as Ummah, which implies the
necessity of leadership in Islam.
Mohammad (Sm) says Every one of you is a shepherd and every one
of you is responsible for what he is shepherd of (Sahih Al Bukhari).
1) Shura
Shura is the first principal of Islamic leadership and management
Quran made it compulsory for Muslim leaders to consult those
who have knowledge and can provide advice (Check Surat 42:38)Surat Shura .
Also (3:159) Surat Al Umaran
2) Justice
Leaders should deal with people justly and fairly regardless of
their race, colore, nationality or religion (Check Surat 4.48) Surat Nisai
3) Freedom of thought
Islamic leaders should allow constructive criticism
Members should be allowed to express themselves freely
The Moral bases of Islamic Leadership
Leadership in Islam is rooted in belief and willing submission to the
Creator, God. It centers on serving Him.
1)Iman
Iman or faith in God is the core of Islamic moral character
Iman implies belief in the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad
(saw).
A leader should bow his ego, his ideas, his passions and his thinking to God.
Iman also implies belief in the life hereafter and in ones ultimate accountability
for ones deeds.
The Moral bases of Islamic Leadership
2) Islam
Islam is the second layer of the moral personality of an Islamic leader and
followers.
Islam means the achievement of peace with God, within oneself and with the
creation of God, through willing submission to Him.
Ali Ibn Abu Talibs (ra) letter to Malik al-Ashtar an-Nukai, the new Governor of
Egypt, stresses this point in the following manner:
Malik, you must never forget that if you are a ruler over them, then
the Caliph is a ruler over you, and God is the supreme Lord over the
Caliph
3) Taqwa
As pointed out by Maudoodi, the essence of taqwa lies in an attitude of heart
and mind rather than in an outward form
Taqwa will restrain a Muslim leader or follower from behaving unjustlywhether
to community members, to customers, to suppliers or to anybody else.
4) Ihsan
Ihsan is the love of God.
This love of God motivates the individual Muslim to work towards attaining Gods
Pleasure.
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) describes ihsan as follows: To worship God as if
you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must
consider that He is looking at you
Coaching as Tarbiyyah and Self-development
Al-Quran is a guidance and instruction for all men in carrying
out its mission as khalifatullah on earth.
Tarbiyah in Islam starts first of all with the education and training of
our own selves, then of our families, and then of the community at
large.
Giving Tarbiayh to our children benefits both in this world and after we
have passed to the next.
Prophet Said:
"When the son of Adam passes away, all of his deeds are stopped except for
three. Some kind of charity that is continuous, or knowledge which the people
are benefiting from, or a righteous child who is praying for him.
(Shaikh Aways, (n.d)