An article based on various discussions held by the esteemed teacher with the fellows and associates of Al-Mawrid.
What attitude should religious and political leaders adopt towards their associates and supporters? This question has been significant in every era, but in the present times, the trend of organizational development has greatly increased its importance. State institutions, political parties, religious organizations, and welfare associations now operate within a collective framework. As a result, two components emerge between leaders and their associates and supporters, working together in their struggle. Leaders call upon people, and individuals respond to their call by standing with them. The motivation for this support is often a high ideal or a noble cause. Consequently, they relate to them with complete sincerity and offer sacrifices in every manner—be it financially, morally, or verbally. As a result of this commitment and self-sacrifice, there naturally arises a desire within them for the leaders to be attentive to them, encourage them, appreciate their worth, and treat them with kindness and affection. If this behavior is not received, they become disheartened and withdrawn, and in some cases, it escalates to opposition and antagonism. This is a common habit of humans. People of every era, region, and nation follow this pattern. There is no difference among them in this regard.
This real-life requirement demands that leaders cultivate warmth and the ability to win hearts. If they wish to keep their followers engaged and make them their allies and partners, there is no alternative to this approach. They must develop a disposition of kindness and generosity within themselves. This means that they should speak to them with softness and love, approach every matter with good temperament, listen attentively to their advice, encourage them, overlook their mistakes,
value their emotions, and most importantly, respect their dignity. This is the approach that serves as the essential provision for every leader and guide. Iqbal has rightly said:
High ambition, enchanting speech, soul full of passion
This is the provision for the journey for the leader of the caravan.
The Holy Qur’an has made this matter extremely clear. It has presented the conduct and exemplary character of the perfect guide, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as an absolute principle and has declared that the behavior desired by the Lord from leadership is the one exemplified by His Messenger. It is stated:
ْفَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ م ِنَ ّٰللاِّٰ لِنْتَ لَهُمﵐ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيْظَ الْقَلْبِ ْلَنْفَضُّوْا
َمِنْ حَوْلِكﵣ ِفَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي اْلَْمْر. So, it is because of God’s favor that you are very gentle to them [O Prophet!]. Had you been ill-tempered and hard-hearted, all these would have dispersed from your presence. Therefore, ignore them and seek forgiveness for them and keep consulting them in affairs. (3:159)
This is the tribute from the Lord of the Universe to the person who is the Messenger of Allah, upon whom the prophethood has concluded, and who is the sole source of religion on this earth until the Day of Judgment. This person holds the position of An-Nabiyyu Awlā bil-Mu’minīna min Anfusihim,1 meaning his right over the Muslims is greater than their own selves. His obedience is the obedience of Allah, and his disobedience is the disobedience of Allah. He is the Sultan of sultans, the leader of leaders, and the king of kings, before whom necks bow, heads are lowered, and hearts are laid in his path. Regarding this great personality, Allah has declared that if he were not gentle and kind-hearted, the people would have dispersed from around him. This makes it absolutely clear that even for a being as divinely ordained and obligatory to obey as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), kindness and compassion were essential. History bears
witness that Allah granted him an abundant share of these qualities, and with His help, he elevated this to such a level that the world proclaimed:
Peace be upon him who revealed the secrets of love. Peace be upon him who, despite being wounded, showered flowers. Peace be upon him who clothed those thirsty for his blood with robes of
honor. Peace be upon him who, in response to curses, offered prayers
It is evident that for leadership, the indispensable trait is the quality of winning hearts. This is what Allah requires, and this is the behavior of His Messenger (PBUH). If a leader lacks this trait, then despite possessing a thousand other qualities, he cannot lead people effectively. Leaders must understand that when people are following them, they are not doing so by considering them wardens or patrol leaders. It is a bond of brotherhood and love that ties them. The notion of those who believe that good governance is achieved through harsh criticism, constantly pointing out mistakes, fault-finding, sarcasm, harshness, tough demeanor, accountability, and reprimand, is utterly misguided. Such an approach not only fails to create good governance but also puts the existence of governance itself at risk. If such individuals attain leadership positions, instead of running institutions, organizations, and parties, they end up destroying them. The reason is that those who volunteer or participate for a greater cause do not accept ingratitude, disrespect, coercion, blame, and harshness. They cannot be kept engaged while being hurt and distressed. The only way to engage them is through kindness and compassion. Leadership should value their love. It should respond with even greater love. If they walk ten steps alongside, they should be thanked, and if they accompany for two steps, they should still be appreciated. Accept their cooperation graciously without demanding more and putting them in a difficult situation. If they make a mistake, gently draw their attention like a kind teacher and a well-wishing friend.
In summary, it is indispensable for leadership to be characterized by the quality of winning hearts. If by chance someone is placed in a
leadership position who does not possess this attribute, they should attempt to cultivate it. If successful, they may continue in their position; otherwise, they should relinquish it to someone who is eloquent in speech, tender-hearted, and affectionate in nature. If they do not do so, it should be understood that the situation will become that:
Some drifted away from the caravan, some grew disillusioned with the
sanctuary, For the leader of the caravan lacked the art of winning hearts.
[December 2021]
- Al-Ahzab 33:6.