5 Essential Qualities for Islamic Leadership in the light of Surah Ale Imran verses number 159-160

1. LENIENCY
TAWAKKAL FORGIVENESS
ISLAMIC
LEADERSHIP
CONSULTATION ISTIGHFAR

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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]

7. 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]

8. 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

9. 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."

10. 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

11. 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]

12. 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

14. 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).

15. 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

16. 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).

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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,

21. 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

22. 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)

23. 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”.

25. 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 then added, ‘anyone who says this 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.’

26. 4-Shura or consultation

34. 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)

35. 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.)

36. 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)

37. 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)

38. 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)

39. 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)

40. 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)

41. 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.

42. 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)

43. 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)

44. 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)