Blog Series: The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Leadership Model of Quranic Moral and Spiritual Values of Excellence – at State Level
This Blog Series explores The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Leadership Model of Quranic Moral and Spiritual Values of Excellence, and is based on my Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies research, at ISRA’s Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University.
In this final article, we discuss and analyse Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) values based leadership model in terms of the key Quranic moral and spiritual values of excellence he both taught & embodied in his lifetime mission – at a state level – that produced the greatest transformation in the society, consciousness and moral order of life in the Arabian Peninsula.
1 – Justice with Equity
Justice with equity, was the core of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) state leadership success. He was a just, fair, impartial and righteous leader in all his dealings, including his dealings with all his enemies. (Noor, 2005) The Prophet (pbuh) comprehensively relied on and decided all issues using the Quranic laws, as Noor explains, he abided by the verse, “Give thy judgement in accordance with what Allah has revealed” (Quran 5:49) Hence he was duty bound by his position of being a divine trustee, and being responsible and accountable for implementing justice, equity and consensus in all matters.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his state led leadership transformations was the fact that the new community now lived by a system that supported human dignity in the highest manner as reflected in the laws and institutions. (Elamin, 2008) The Medina pact that the Prophet (pbuh) instigated is a perfect example here which ensured the rights of citizenship for all minority groups where the confederation of the Muslims and Jews as two separate communities occurred.
The population included two main tribes of Ansar community, the Jewish factions, the Christians, and Bedouin pagans. This document he produced not only helped reduce tensions in the city, it illustrated his conciliator role, with the ability to bring people together for the wellbeing of the state. By not discriminating or marginalizing people from different backgrounds, faiths nor ethnic groups this was key, the embracing of all peoples occurred under the same common agreement. (Dogan, 2014)
He eradicated discrimination or marginalization of people from different backgrounds, faiths and ethnic groups under a common agreement.
This Medina constitution became a social structure managing differences based on an agreement under Islamic principles abiding by justice and equity in determining people’s duties and rights, which promoted common interests and where agreements were now reached through mutual consultation. (Dogan, 2014).
As the first written state constitution, it served to organise civic relationships between the various inhabitants of the new state, instituted their commitments, and defined their duties, rights and responsibilities.
Interestingly this was the first time in history where such a written constitution was introduced that secured mutual respect, justice and freedom for all its citizens, securing peace and harmony with all forms of crime now made illegal, where life and property were guaranteed fully protection and preservation, slavery and class distinction was abolished.
Additionally, for the first time in history, the protection and enhancement of women’s rights with their participation in society was enacted including limits on the number of wives a man could now have. (Elamin, 2008)
The policies in this historical document provided clear statements, behaviours, practices and standards by which the various groups and citizens would live successfully as community, including guaranteeing Christians and Jews equal rights, full wealth and property security and unconditional freedom to practice their religion. This was unprecedented globally and in the Arabian Peninsula.
There was now no difference between the rule and the ruled. “The noblest in the sight of God is the one who is most virtuous”, stated the Quran (49:13) (Noor, 2015) As a result of all these sweeping transformational enactments and institutions the society rapidly evolved at all levels.
“The noblest in the sight of God is the one who is most virtuous”, states God in the Quran (49:13)
2 – Unity via Alliances
The second Quranic moral and spiritual value of leadership excellence that the Prophet (pbuh) created at the state level that contributed to the success of the new community, was unity via the alliances he skilfully formed.
The Prophet (pbuh) constantly strived to build peace amongst all people, using every opportunity for this purpose. Using the new nation state Medina as his governing base, he formed alliances with tribes and clans, via pacts, covenants and the successful military campaigns he steered, in addition to marriages he undertook to build close relationships with various tribes and clans. What ensued was Medina becoming the dominant power in the Arabian Peninsula where clans and tribes would send deputations in pursuit of alliances and protection. (Noor, 2005)
A key contributor underlying this unity was the fact that the old traditional concept of tribal loyalty was replaced with the concept of connection with others based on ideology instead of than tribal affiliation. This uniting of the whole Arabian Peninsula under his leadership was the first time this occurred in history. Under his immense efforts a society was established based on a divinely guided belief system that recognized the unity between all living things. The Prophet’s employment of Qur’anic injunctions also fostered beneficial interfaith and dialogue relations between the different tribes and communities. (Dogan, 2015)
It can be concluded that one of the greatest legacies the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) left for the world was his respect for people of other religions, ethnicities and cultures, irrespective of gender, race or status.
He was a perfect living example of the Quranic moral and spiritual teachings he both taught and embodied in his life’s Prophetic mission that produced a great transformation in the society, consciousness and moral order of life in the Arabian Peninsula. Undoubtedly due to his solid belief that a leader must first be prepared to practice their own personal beliefs before expecting others to do so.
He succeeded in uniting most of the Arabian Peninsula, with his major achievements being the firm establishment of a religion and statehood with Islamic law and other civil institutions governing society.
Written by Cynthia Aisha Meguid
Well-Being – Teacher, Educator, Consultant & Coach
This blog article is based on my Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies Research, at ISRA’s Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, Australia.
