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