THE IDEAL LEADERSHIP (PART 5)
By Marhum
Ahmed H Sheriff
PREREQUISITES OF
LEADERSHIP
In Islam
leadership rests mainly upon two things – Knowledge and Justice.
It is
obvious that without sufficient knowledge about the people whom he is to
lead, their conditions and requirements, a leader would not be able
guide them aright. For this, a leader needs not only right informants
but also to remain personally in closer and constant touch with his
people and be concerned about their affairs.
Besides
unless a leader possesses a full sense of justice and fairplay and is
free of constraints of sentiments of blood, commercial, monetory or any
worldly attachments, he would not be expected to act fairly and justly
with his people nor enjoy their confidence and respect. The olden past
history of Iran prior to the advent of Islam has recorded Nawsherwan
as the most just and fair-minded person having ever lived in the world.
So strict was his sense of justice over the people over whom he ruled
that his name became synonymous with JUSTICE. Interesting tales about
his rule of justice have been told. During his days of childhood,
Nawsherwan had a teacher who was exceedingly farsighted and concious of
practical ways of training his students.
Once
the teacher without any reason suddenly embarked upon scolding and even
canning Nawsherwan. So severe was the beating that he cried loudly and
the hatred and prejudice for this remained for ever in his heart. When
Nawsherwan grew up and became the king of Iran, he thought of taking a
revenge. He called upon that teacher and inquired to know the reasons
for that undue punishment and beating during his childhood.The reply
from the teacher was:
“I
noticed that you were paying exceedingly good attention in doing your
lessons. I was confident of your ability in future and that you were
going to inherit the kingdom after your father had passed away. I
preferred to see you taste beforehand the pang of oppression and
injustice so that you do no injustice to anyone when you become the
king.”
On
hearing this, Nawsherwan was amused and he smiled. When asked wherefrom
did he learn the strict and deep sense of justice, Nawsherwan replied:
“Once during the early days of my kingship,
I had gone out to the woods for hunting accompanied by my armymen. I
witnessed a strange incident. I saw someone hitting a dog with a stone
which broke its leg. After a short while I saw a horse galloping by and
kicking that man thereby breaking his leg. And hardly a few steps had
that horse run when suddenly its leg ran into a ditch and fracturing
itself. On watching this sequence of events and the “tit for tat”, I
learnt a lesson that oppression and injustice in this world is swiftly
repaid in the same coin hence I resolved to rule and tolerate no
injustice whatsoever in my kingdom.”
So
famous did he become as Nawsherwane Aadil (a just ruler) in the world
that even the Prophet of Islam is mentioned to have said,
“I was born during the time of the just king.”
What
can be concluded from the above tales is that would-be leaders need to
be trained to inculcate in their minds the deep sense of acting justly
and fairly with all people.
THE
OUTLOOK OF A LEADER
What
sort of an outlook should a leader of an institution have can best be
learnt from the following words of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as). In his
detailed letter of instructions to his last Governor designate of Egypt
Malik bin al-Harith al-Ashtar:
“You should avoid self admiration having
reliance in what appears good in yourself and love or exaggerated praise
because this is one of the most reliable opportunities for satan to
obliterate the good deeds of the virtuous.”
A
self-esteemed and over-confident leader is not likely to listen to the
views of people nor would he tolerate their criticisms. As such he may
run the risk of misjudgement and taking dangerous decisions harmful to
their welfare. And if he also succumbs to flattery and cheap praise of
people around him, he is likely to become biased and act unfairly.
Therefore the paramount need for a leader is to inculcate in himself a
sense of deep humility if he is to succeed.
“Avoid showing
(the existence of) obligation on your subjects for having done good to
them or praising your own actions or making promises and then breaking
them because showing obligation destroys good, self-praise takes away
the light of truth and breaking promises earns the hatred of Allah and
of the people.”
Obviously a kind act loses its charm and reward from Allah when done
under obligation because of impure aim. The one who is accustomed to
exaggerate in his own words is not truthful and would not easily be
trusted. And the one who is in the habit of breaking promises is not
only liable to be mistrusted but also to earn hatred of people.
Readers are requested to recite
suratul-Fatiha for Marhum Ahmed H Sheriff.
Released by:
Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff
mulla@almahdi.org.uk |