THE BEST ISLAMIC MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP WITH HUMANITY

 

The fundamental objective of modern management is increased profitability by increasing productivity and the best combination of men, material, and knowhow.

Islamic management concentrates on Divine ownership of our lives. Imam Ali (a.s.) when given chance to rule the Ummah had shown the glimpses of Islamic management. When he appointed Malik al-Ashtar governor of Egypt, he compiled a directive to him. Surprisingly, the Secretary General of United Nation, Koofi Annan referred to this directive encouraging the Muslim members to review Imam Ali’s directive to Malik al-Ashtar.

The sermon of Imam Ali may be seen in sermon # 53 of Nahjul Balagha.

The Sermon starts with the phrase, “This letter is from Ali, the servant of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful.” He specified servant first and commander later. This reflects the chain of   command; the governor is accountable to the Imam and the Imam is accountable to Allah. This eliminates the thoughts of autocracy or complete independence from any controlling power. It exhorts anyone towards spiritual impurity and forces one to remember that he is a servant of Allah and act accordingly. He further stresses Malik to fear Allah. Help Allah from your heart, hands, and tongue. Because Allah had promised to assist those who serve Him. Control your emotions. Avoid those activities which are prohibited. Cultivate love and kindness towards the people. Never behave with people like furious animals. Never make decisions when you are angry. Never show superiority complex saying that you are the boss. Never think of confronting Allah exaggerating your power because Allah lowers the Proud ones. Be careful with your behavior specially relating to your relatives. Be watchful of the rights of the people. Do not have a miser as your advisor who is miser or a coward. All such qualities point towards ignorance. Have truthful people around you. Train them not to falsely praise your deeds. Never treat righteous and bad character people at par as this will discourage the righteous ones. Do not discontinue the proper customs and traditions. Always consult the wise in the affairs of the state. Recognize a good work done by your people. Suitably compensate the judges so they can perform well without any influence from outside. Appoint after carefully testing and examining them impartially. Be fearful of Allah over the affairs of the poor, handicapped and those who deserve help but do not openly ask for it. Keep an eye over the affairs of the orphans and widows.

Do not set aside for yourself any facility which is meant for commoners. Control your tongue, and your power in deciding any matter in haste. Always keep your promise and never remind people about your favors. Do not have people around you who are inquisitive about other people and try to find faults with them. Such people may interfere with your decisions about other people in your administration. Do not have a person who was with the previous administration and assisted in oppression of innocent people. Leaders depend on advisors and may make or break an administration.

Spare time for praying in seclusion for Allah.

In the modern world every city or town is populated by people of different faiths; whether Muslim or non-Muslim, a ruler should be impartial. This exhibits his humanity in dealing with people. The wording he used emphasize his judicial independence; “People are of two types either they are of the same faith as you or they are an equal in humanity!” “People make mistakes. Hence forgive them as you want Allah to forgive you.

 

AHLULBAYT AND THE VERSE OF MUBAHELAH

 

When the Christians from Najran visited Madina and argued about Prophet Eisa as to who was his father, the Qur’an says in Surah Ali Imran Ayah 59, “Indeed the case of Jesus (prophet Eisa) with Allah is like the case of Adam: He created from dust, then said to him, ‘Be’ and he was.

When the Christians of Najran kept on arguing, then Allah revealed Ayah 61 Surah Ali Imran. “Should anyone argue with you concerning him, after the knowledge that has come to you say ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls, and your souls, then let us pray earnestly and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars.” In those days Allah’s wrath used to fall on the liars.

Next day the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) emerged having Imam Husseyn in his lap, holding Imam Hasan’s fingers, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) behind him and the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.) was behind Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) erasing her footprints!

The Chief of the Christians inquired about the identities.

 said, “If Muhammad has brought his entire family, then he must be convinced about their truthfulness. I am seeing such faces that if they pray Allah will move the mountains from their place. Hence, you. people do not enter the Mubahelah with them.”

Hence, their truthfulness was certified by Allah!

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), the khilafat forcibly expelled the guards stationed by Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) although the “Fadak” was gifted by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to his daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). In law, possession is the proof of ownership.

Abubaker asked for the witness of this gift. Imam Ali (a.s.) and Umme Aiman were the witnesses. He rejected Imam Ali (a.s.) for being the husband. Umme Aiman was considered as half witness. Imam Hasan and Imam Husseyn were considered children and rejected.

In the Glorious Qur’an, Imam Ali, Sayyida Fatima Zahra, Imam Hasan, and Imam Husseyn were Truthful and Abubaker requires witnesses to prove that Sayyida Fatima Zahra’s claim that Fadak was gifted to her by her father!

Whereupon Sayyida Fatima Zahra claimed her inheritance. Abubaker narrated a tradition purported to be said by the Noble Messenger which no one had heard till then. It was alleged that the prophet said that we prophets do not leave any inheritance. Whatever is left is sadaqa belonging to people. She challenged Abubaker “you will receive your father’s inheritance but not me? Prophet Suleman inherited it from Prophet Daud (27:16). Prophet Zecharia praying for a son who will inherit him. Surah Maryam Ayah 6 saying, “So grant from Yourself an heir who may inherit from me and inherit from the House of Jacob (Yaqoob). She also referred to (8:75), “And those who believed afterwards and migrated, and waged Jihad along with you, they belong to you; but the blood relatives are more entitled to inherit from one another in the Book of Allah.” Also, Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 6 relates to inheritance. 

         English Translation of the Glorious Qur’an by Ali Quli Qara’i

STATUS OF SAYYIDA FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.) IN THE EYES OF ALLAMA IQBAL (R.A.)

 

Allama Iqbal was known as “Thinker of Pakistan.” He was Sunni Hanafi Muslim. In his book “Ramuz-e—Bekhudi,” had authored an excellent poem about Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) in Persian. Following is the translation in English:

Mariam is exalted on one count being the mother of Prophet Eisa or Jesus. But Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is exalted by three criteria. She is the beloved daughter of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He is the leader of all prophets. He brought peace and tranquility on earth through Islam, opened new avenues of Tawheed. Her husband (Imam Ali) was the Crown of Surah Hal Ata (76). His other names are Murtaza, Mushkilkusha, (helped people in distress), Lion of Allah. Kings of the time used to visit his mausoleum like dogs putting chains in their necks! His material assets were only one sword (Zulfiqar) and one shield (which he used to wear at his back) only. Her mother (Khadija) was the pivot of love of Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Her mother was the richest woman in Arabia which she gave away to her husband for spreading and sustaining Islam. Imam Hasan (a.s.), her eldest son, was one of the “Lights of Panjetan” and the “Protector” of Muslim Ummah and saved the Ummah from the fire of war. He kicked off the crown of khilafat. Her other son Imam Hussein (a.s.) was the leader of the pious ones. He is the source of strength for the freedom fighters of the world. His sacrifice in Karbala brought meaning and purpose to life. Even today truthful freedom lovers draw inspiration from their patience and fortitude. The characters of children reflect their mothers. Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husein (a.s.) reflected on her upbringing. Their Purity and Truthfulness reflect their mother Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). She was the most dedicated Muslim titled “Chief of the Women of the world.” She is the perfect role model for Muslim women for all time to come. She gave away food to the needy for three days and kept fasting without eating anything. She sold her chador to help a needy Jew. All the angels and Jinn were her servants. But she was whole-heartedly lost in obedience to her husband Imam Ali (a.s.). She was the symbol of patience and contentment. She would recite the Qur’an while grinding the stone-mill (to make flower). She would shed tears to attain nearness to Allah. Her tears roll into pearls falling on her prayer-mat. Gabriel would carry her tears from the earth and would spread her tears in Heaven which falls on earth later as dew.

I am restrained by the commandments of Islam. I am following the directions of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Otherwise, I would circumambulate around Fatima Zahra’s grave and would prostrate on the soil of Fatima Zahra’s grave.

 

GUIDELINES FOR YOUTHS

 

We all believe in friends and enemies having tangible bodies. Shaitan is our archenemy which has no tangible body that is visible to our eyes. Hence in our daily life, we do not care about Shaitan. When Allah created Adam and ordered all angels to prostrate Adam, everyone complied except Shaitan, who was a jinn but due to his constant prayers, Allah allowed him to be among the angels. He refused to prostrate Adam saying that he was superior to Adam as Adam was created from soil and Shaitan was created from fire. Allah expelled him due to his pride and disobedience. Shaitan sought permission to influence all man kind and was granted.

All the evil deeds man commits are inspired by Shaitan. If we know what deed is prohibited by Allah then we must avoid it. However, there are deeds obligatory or recommended if followed will minimize Satanic influences e.g., Salat or Namaz. Namaz is obligatory on every Muslim boy of 15 years and every Muslim girl of 9 years. Shaitan as our enemy discourages us not to pray namaz but we should remember that we must do this obligatory act which is in our own benefit. It is the remembrance of Allah that cleanses our souls; as we remember that we must pray five times, we keep our body and clothes clean. It is said that “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

Allah has placed in every human being conscience called Nafse Lawwama which reminds everyone of committing sins, it is the Shaitan who encourages us to proceed to sin. The Glorious Qur’an expressly mentions the prohibited deeds. Also, Allah sent prophets and Imams whose main mission was to guide the humans. Furu-e- Deen (Branches of Islam) explains to us what to do and what to abstain from doing. Furu’ Deen are salaat, Fasting in the month of Ramazan, Pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in life time, Charity to help others, Zakat also a tax yearly, struggle with self, do the pious deeds and recommend others also to do it, Abstain from prohibited deeds and recommend others as well, love the Prophet’s Ahle Bayt and abhor their enemies.

As a practical guide, we should minimize exposure to the modern gadgets like television. We are exposed to obscene images which awaken our baser sentiments. This is prohibited in Qur’an; Allah says, “tell men and women to lower their gaze.” (24:30). After seeing it we are mentally disturbed, unable to concentrate on healthy activities. It is purely unproductive. Develop friendship with Allah, share your worries and problems with him. Reciting Namaz is like talking to Allah and reading the Glorious Qur’an is like Allah talking to you. Time is very precious, do not waste it on unproductive activities. Do not pick any book and start reading it. After the Glorious Qur’an, the next book for guidance is Nahual Balanghai, compiled by Ayatullah Sayyid Razi about one thousand years ago. It contains sermons and priceless sayings of Amirul Momineen Imam Ali (a.s). His sayings are like universal truth covering every aspect of life true today as well.

An American author, Michael H. Hart, who authored a book, “The 100 Most Influential Persons in History” in which he named our Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) saying he was supremely successful in religious and secular realms. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its Gate.”