5 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIPIN LIGHT OF ALE- IMRAN 3:159-160

LENIENCY

FORGIVENESS

ISTIGHFARCONSULTATION

TAWAKKAL

ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP

ALE-IMRAN,3:159,160

It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from you; so pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs. Then when you have taken a decision put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). If Allah helps you none can overcome you: if He forsakes you who is there after that that can help you? In Allah then let believers put their trust.

Background of these ayaat• These verses were revealed after

the battle of Uhud (March 19th, 625 or 3rd Shawwal 3 AH)

• After initial victory, there was partial defeat

• It happened due to 50 arrow men who left a mountain post un defended when they noted that enemy was running and bounties were being taken by their companions.

Reminder and forgiveness by Allah (SWT)

Allah did indeed fulfill His promise to you when you with His permission were about to annihilate your enemy until you flinched and fell to disputing about the order and disobeyed it after He brought you in sight (of the Booty) which you covet. Among you are some that hanker after this world and some that desire the Hereafter. Then did He divert you from your foes in order to test you but He forgave you: for Allah is full of grace to those who believe. (Ali Imran,3:156)

1-Leniency and compassion

• Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful (9:128)

"We only sent you as a mercy to all the worlds." (21:107

Quran on Prophet Mohammad’s love and compassion for all

• Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [o Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, out of sorrow. [Kahf, 18:6]

• So do not let yourself perish over them in regret. indeed, Allah is knowing of what they do.

[Fatir, 35:8]

Mercy to the companions• 'A'isha (R) said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was never given a choice between two things but that he chose the easier of the two.“• Sa‘d bin ‘Ubaadah once became ill, so Prophet visited him

in his house. On seeing his faithful Companion in a pitiful state, he was moved to tears. Then, he said: “Allah does not punish because of tears, nor because of grief, but he punishes because of this."- and he pointed to his tongue. [Al-Bukhari]

Compassion to the servants

• ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar says that once a nomadic Arab came and asked the Prophet, “How many times should I pardon my servant in a day?” The Prophet replied, “Seventy times. ” He also quotes the Apostle as saying, “Pay the wages of a laborer before his sweat dries up.”

• "Have mercy on those who are on the planet earth and you shall have the mercy of He who is in heaven." (At-Tirmidhi)

• Jabir related the Prophet of Allah as saying: "Feed them with the food which you eat, clothe them with such clothing as you wear, and do not cause trouble to Allah's creatures.

Mercy for Animals• The Prophet forbade his companions to keep the

unintelligent creatures hungry or thirsty, to disturb or to overburden them.

• Abu Huraira(R) reports the Prophet said that a thirsty traveler drank water from a well. Then he saw a thirsty dog. He brought water from the well and quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins."

• The Prophet told his companions: "There is reward in regard to (helping) every creature that has a living heart."

Promoted compassion amongst believers

• "I swear by God that you shall not enter paradise until you believe. And you shall not believe until you love each other." (Al-Bukhari)

• He said that one way to demonstrate love for one another is to exchange greetings and gifts. He also encouraged people to respect one another.

• When asked who were God’s most beloved people, the Prophet said God’s most beloved people are those who are most useful to God’s creatures

A Mercy for Children

• Once he said: “I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety which the mother is feeling.” [Al-Bukhaari

• He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Husayn, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, ‘I have ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allah's Messenger responded: “The one with no pity for others is not pitied.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Prophet (SAW) was most compassionate to all

• His call was full of mercy and compassion, and keenness on gathering the hearts of people around him and guiding all people.

• He was lenient with those who made mistakes or went against the correct standards. ‘

• He would treat them kindly and teach them in the most appropriate way

• He was sincere and balanced in his love and compassion for the guidance and happiness of all

2-FORGIVENESS

• "The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree) but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) Loves not those who do wrong."(42:40).

• "When they become angry, they are forgiving." (42:37).

Restrain anger and hold no grudges

• "... [those] who restrain anger and pardon [all] men - for Allah loves those who do good." (Qur'an, 3:134)

• The true Muslim does not harbor grudges: if he restrains his anger, he then follows that with forgiveness,

• Anger is very difficult to restrain. for it is a heavy burden on the heart. But when a person forgives another, this heavy burden is lifted, freeing him, soothing him and bringing peace of mind.

• These are the feelings of ihsan (goodness) which the Muslim feels when he forgives his brother.

• This is good deed which will bring him closer to Allah and earn him His love

Forgiveness for the sake of Allah to earn honor from Allah

• The true Muslim is forgiving towards his brother, purely for the sake of Allah. He hopes thereby to earn the honor

• Prophet (SAW) referred to it in a hadith: "... No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah will raise his status." (Muslim).

• Prophet (SAW) explained: "There are three sins, whoever dies free of these sins will be forgiven for anything else if Allah wills: associating anything with Allah; practicing magic or witchcraft; and bearing resentment towards his brother." (al-Bukhari).

Prophet (SAW) was most forgiving• When he went to Ta'if to preach the message of Allah,

its people mistreated him.• He left the city humiliated and wounded. • When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah

visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Ta'if because of their sin of mistreating their Prophet.

• The Prophet (SAW) prayed to Allah to save the people of Taif, because what they did was out of their ignorance. He. said, "O Allah, guide these people, because they did not know what they were doing."

Few examples of his forgiveness• When he entered the city of Makkah after the victory,

the Prophet (SAW) had in front of him some of his enemies.

• Prophet(SAW) asked them, "What do you think I shall do to you now?" They pleaded for mercy.

• The Prophet(SAW) said, "Today I shall say to you what Joseph (Yusuf)said to his brothers,

• He said: "This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. (Yusuf,12:92)

3-Istighfar: Seeking Forgiveness from Allah

• This word is derived from Ghafr, the other infinitive forms being Maghfirah, Ghufran.

• Istighfar means to cover up, protect or suppress.• The primary connotation of Istighfar is to supplicate

for the suppression of human tendency to fall into error so as to be safeguarded against error or sin.

• Its secondary connotation is to supplicate for suppression of consequences of error

Condition of one doing Istighfar

• The man who resorts to Istighfar humiliates himself before God,

• He admits his weakness • He dreads the Power and Glory of the Creator. • The man who constantly recurs to Istighfar, feels his

own dependency and turns to God for help and aid • He gives evidence that he has overcome the

weakness of flesh and resisted the evil tendency• Strength of God is with him and His Light

descending upon him,

Story of Hassan Al-Banna

He was asked (by different people at different times):-

• i. How to overcome dry season.. his answer – do Istighfar

• ii. Long marriage but still without children.. his answer – do Istighfar

• iii. Food Crops that are not doing well at all.. his answer – do Istighfar

Imam Hasan Al Banna was advising according to Surah Nuh

Saying `Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving; "`He will send rain to you in abundance;" 'Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you Gardens and bestow on you Rivers (of flowing water) (Nuh,71:10-12)

Story of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hambal• Imam Ahmad was travelling through a town, he stopped at a mosque for his night

prayer and asked whether he could sleep at the mosque.. • The mosque’s caretaker courteously rejected the Imam Ahmad’s request. A bread

seller overheard it and said that the Imam can sleep in a room at his house. • During the early morning, the bread seller knead flour to make his bread.. He did

Istighfar every time he knead the flour.

• Imam Ahmad asked the bread seller “Why do you Istighfar every time you knead the flour?”.

• The man replied “I am very confident of Istighfar and I have made a supplication to Allah for a wish which is yet to be accomplished/fulfilled”.

• The Imam asked “What is your wish?”.

• The man said “Oh, I wish that I can meet Imam Ahmad Ibn Hambal”.

Sayyidul Istighfar

O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god besides You. You created me and I am Your servant, following your covenant and [my] promise to you as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have done. Before You I acknowledge Your blessings bestowed upon me and I confess my sins to You. So forgive me, for surely no one can forgive sins except You.

The Prophet وسلم عليه الله then added, ‘anyone who says صلىthis during the day, firmly believing in it, and dies before the evening; or says it in the evening, firmly believing in it, and dies before the following morning, will be among the people of paradise.’

4-Shura or consultation

5-Tawakkal in Allah (SWT)• Tawakkal means trust or dependence. It is

putting our matters in absolute trust in Allah

• Whoever trusts in Allah (Tawakkal A’lallāh), He is sufficient for him” (At-Talāq, 65:3)

• “Say: Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our Protector: And on Allāh let the believers put their trust.”

(At-Tawbah, 9:51)

Hadith on Tawakkal Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) reported that Rasūlullāh (SAW) said to him: O boy! I will teach you words, so learn them: • “Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you, • Be mindful of Allah and He will be on your side. • If you ask, ask Allah, and • If you seek help, seek it from Allah. • Know that if the Ummah gather their strength to bring you benefit,

they will never bring you benefit, except that which Allah has decreed for you.

• Know that if they gather their strength to harm you, they will never harm you, except with that which Allah has decreed against you.

• The pens have been raised and the pages are dry.”(Recorded by Imam Ahmad; At-Tirmidzi and said: Hasan Sahih.)

Tawakkal is related to struggle for Aqamah of Deen

• And Mūsa said, “O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely on Him (have Tawakkal in Him), if you are Muslims.” So they said, “Upon Allah do we rely (have Tawakkal). Our Lord! Do not make us (object of) trial (persecution) of the unjust (wrongdoers). And save us by Your mercy from the disbelievers.” (Yunus, 10:83-85)

Nuh (AS) puts his Tawakkal on Allah

• “And recite to them the news of Nūh when he said to his people: O my people, if my stay (among you) and my reminding (you) Ayāt of Allah is hard on you, then I have put my Tawakkal (trust) in Allah So devise your plan and (call upon) your Shurakā (any entity equated with Allah) and let not your plan be obscure to you. Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite.” (Yūnus, 10:71)

Prophet Hood(AS) and Prophet Shu’aib(AS)

• During resistance from his people, the Messenger Hood(AS) said to them: “I put my Tawakkal in (I rely on) Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is not a creature but He holds its forelock (controls it).” (Hood, 11:56)

• Prophet Shu’aib(AS) said to his people: “I do not want to do the things from which I stop you. I only desire reform as much as I am able. My potential and inclination is only through Allah, upon Him I rely (in him I have Tawakkal) and to Him I turn.” (Hood, 11:88)

Way of all prophets and Islamic workers• .

• And on Allah should the believers rely (Tawakkal). How should we not rely upon (have Tawakkal in) Allah when He has indeed guided us in our ways? Certainly we would persevere against the persecution that you may inflict on us. And upon Allah must the reliant rely (have Tawakkal).”

(Ibrāhīm, 14:11-12)

Instruction for this Ummah

Say: He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him; upon Him I rely (in Him I have Tawakkal) and to him is my return in repentance.” (Ar-Ra’d 13:30)

Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, certainly Allah is fully aware of what you do; and, (have Tawakkal) rely on Allah, He is sufficient as a Trustee.” (Al-Ahzāb, 33:1-3)

Clearing a Misconception• A popular notion is that earning provides the rizq and

Tawakkal in Allah should come after one has made a sincere effort to earn a living.

• Anas bin Mālik (RA) said: A person asked, “Should I tie my camel and have Tawakkal (trust in Allah for her protection) or should I leave her untied and have Tawakkal.” Rasūlullāh, (SAW) replied,

“Tie her and then have Tawakkal.” (Recorded by At- Tirmidzi)• While trust in Allah is absolute being independent of what

we do, it is our responsibility to act on what we intended to accomplish.

Personal struggle and Tawakkal

• As Allāh Says: “Indeed, there is no authority for him (Shaytān) over those who believe and rely upon their Lord (Tawakkal).” (An-Nahl, 16:99)

• ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas (RA) narrated Rasūlullāh (SAW) said, “The human mind keeps wandering and branching away into different valleys. If someone follows his mind in all those wanderings, Allah does not care which valley ruins that person. On the other hand, whoever has Tawakkal in Allah, He will be sufficient to save him from those wanderings” (Recorded by Ibn Mājah)

Hadith

• ‘Awf Bin Mālik (RA) narrated Rasūlullāh (SAW) said: “Allāh (SWT) condemns powerlessness and hopelessness. It is incumbent upon you to take a stand with hope and intelligent resolve. If you are overpowered in a matter, then say,

“Sufficient is Allah for my means and He is the best supporter.”” (Recorded by Abū Dawūd)

Hadith• ‘Umar Bin Khattāb,(RA), heard Rasūlullāh (SAW) saying, “If

you trust Allah with right kind of Tawakkal, He will provide you sustenance as He provides for the birds – they go out in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs.” (Recorded by Tirmidhi)

• Sa‘ad(RA) reported, Rasūlullāh (SAW) said: “One of the factors that indicate blessedness (Sa‘ādah) of a person is his being pleased with Allah's decision for him, while two of the attitudes indicating wretchedness or despondence (Shaqāwah) of a person are: his not seeking goodness from Allah or his being unhappy about Allah's decisions for him.”

(Recorded by Ahmad and At-Tirmidzi)