Quick Note On Leaders From The Past
Sunday, July 12th, 2009I’m not asking for much…
All I’m asking is for world leaders, local leaders, and even leaders of households to reflect on some of the great leaders of the Muslim past.
First, the inaugural address of Abu Bakr (the first Khaleefah after the death of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him):
O People! I have been put in authority over you and I am not the best of you. So if I do the right thing then help me and if I do wrong then put me straight. Truthfulness is a sacred trust and lying is a betrayal. The weak amongst you is strong in my sight. I will surely try to remove his pain and suffering. And the strong amongst you is weak to me I will – Allah willing – realize the right from him fully. When obscene things spread among any nation, calamities generally continued to descend upon them. As long as I obey Allah and His messenger, you should obey me, and if I do not obey Allah and His messenger, then obedience to me is not incumbent upon you. (Now prepare for prayer). (Source of translation: Anwar Al-Awlaki audio series)
Second, a quick story about Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (the second Khaleefah after the death of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him). I cannot verify the authenticity of the story, but there’s a lesson in it nonetheless… It is said that when asked why he slept very little Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) responded that he spends his days serving the people and his nights in worship and that if even a goat tripped on an obstacle in the road at the farthest reaches of the khaleefah’s domain, he (Umar) fears that he will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment.
Reflect on these two stories for a moment… Where are these types of leaders these days?
Well, it starts at home. How are you with your family? Your neighbor? Your workplace? Your own self? I’m not complaining that these leaders don’t exist right now… I’m imploring you (& me) to become these leaders in our own domains.
