StrangersIslamic perspectives in leadership &

change

7th century versus 21st century1. Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and his Sahaba lived as a minority in a

multicultural, pluralistic society where the majority were not Muslim.

2. Yet in one generation, in less than 20 years, the situation completely transformed and Muhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and his followers became the leaders of Arabia and the known world.

3. This happened without force

What worked for them will work for us ه الل 3نشاء إ

Focus1. To understand leadership we must know

what our Core Purpose is; why do we exist2. And then we must do what it takes, to

fulfill that purpose3. That is our differentiator, our signature,

our flag

Why do we Muslims exist?

اس3 3لن كنتم خير أمة أخر3جت ل3المعروف3 وتنهون عن3 تأمرون ب

3الله3 المنكر3 وتؤم3نون بA’al Imraan 3:110 You are the best of people and have been extracted for the benefit of mankind. You enjoin good and forbid evil and believe in Allah

Brotherhood in IslamOn the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin

Malik who reported that the Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said, “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for

himself.” ~ Al-Bukhari & Muslim

Islam doesn’t differentiate in spreading goodness, like the sun doesn’t differentiate

who it shines upon

Our Core Purpose today1. To introduce Allahهلالج لج

& Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص to people

2. To establish justice3. To fight injustice 4. To alleviate suffering

5. To lead in all education6. To ensure equitable

distribution of wealth7. To enable access to

food, shelter, health & education

We came to collaborate, not compete

Allah هلالج لجThere’s nobody worthy of worship

except Him

Who is Allahهلالج لج?1. Say (O Muhammad), “He is Allah, (the) One.2. Allah-us-Samad (Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all

creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).3. He begets not, nor was He begotten;4. And there is none equal or comparable to Him.”

We worship Him because He is unlike anything in creation

Baqara 2: 255. Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither dozing, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Hashr 59: 21.  Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect .22. He is Allah, than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.23. He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

Our relationship with Allahهلالج لج

A’al Imraan 3: 189. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things.190. Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.191. Those who remember Allah (always) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Rabb! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.

ه3م ذ3ين أسرفوا على أنفس3 باد3ي ال قل يا ع3ه يغف3ر 3ن الل ه3 إ حمة3 الل ال تقنطوا م3ن رح3يم ه هو الغفور الر 3ن  الذنوب جم3يعا إ

Zumar 39: 53. Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلصThe Messenger of Allahهلالج لج

Muhammadur Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

3ال رحمة وما أرسلناك إلعالم3ين  ل

Anbiya 21:107  And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin

(worlds)

Hilf-ul-Fudhul1. “We swear by God that we will together become one

(strong) hand. This hand will remain by the side of the weak and will continue to be raised against the strong and the unjust until the persecutor returns to the persecuted his right. This will remain so until the sea keeps the seashells wet and the hills of Hira and Thabir remain in their place. There will be equity in our society.”

Constitution of Madina1. “Wa inna Yahudu Bani Awf Ummah ma’a al-

Mu’minin”• [meaning, “And, verily, the Jews of the Banu

Awf shall be considered an Ummah (one nation) with the Believers”]

First Written Constitution in the World, by, Dr. HamidullahBased on Sahifa Madina, the original document created by Rasoolullah ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

His manners

ك لعلى خلق عظ3يم 3ن وإQalam 68: 4. And verily, you (O

Muhammad ) are on an exalted standard of character.

Example for all mankindه3 أسوة حسنة لقد كان لكم ف3ي رسول3 الل

ه واليوم اآلخ3ر وذكر من كان يرجو الل ل3يرا ه كث الل

Ahzab 33: 21  Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day

and remembers Allah much.

Impartiality is justice1. Narrated Anas bin Malik that Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said,

“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or the oppressed. People asked, ‘Ya Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?’

2. Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”  

No discrimination in Islam on any basis

Anas ibn Malik reported, that Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said:

ه 3ن 3ن كان كاف3را فإ 3 وإ قوا دعوة المظلوم اتليس¤ دونها ح3جاب

Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no barrier between it and

Allahهلالج لج [Musnad Ahmad 12140, Grade: Sahih]

Justice is the true metric by which Allahهلالج لج supports or rejects a community

Reward of following Sunnah

3بكم 3ي يحب 3عون ب ون الله فات ب 3ن كنتم تح3 قل إح3يم الله ويغف3ر لكم ذنوبكم والله غفور ر

A’al Imraan 3: 31  Say (O Muhammad  to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then emulate me (in everything), Allah

will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Study the Seerah1. People came to Islam because they fell in

love with Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص2. Islam is a practice – Only action produces

results3. Islam changed the definition of net worth

from Abu Lahb (money) to Abu Bakr (character)

Stop talking – start showing

Ask, “Am I being beneficial?”1. All knowledge and action must be tested

on this criterion of being beneficial2. All that is exploitative is prohibited &

punished3. All that is beneficial is promoted &

rewardedWhat you do doesn’t define good or evil.

Why you do it, does.

Become ‘Strangers’“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they

fight you, then you win.” ~ Gandhiji

Who are the Strangers?1. In a world of corruption, integrity is a stranger

2. In a world of lies, truth is a stranger3. In a world of cruelty, compassion is a

stranger4. In a world of ignorance, knowledge is a

strangerStrangers are the Standard Bearers

بدأ اإلسالم غريبا، وسيعود غريبا كما بدأ،

 فطوبي للغرباء(Islam began as something strange and it will return strange as it began, so glad tidings for

the strangers)[Ibn Maajah, kitaab al fitan 3986] and [Sahih Muslim :The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman): Book 1 : Hadith 270]

Nature of strangeness1. Depends on what the norm is• Question the norm

2. Conformity is not always a virtue• Neither is rebellion

3. Moral courage is to stand for the principle• Not succumb to the pressure of the norm

The surest sign of confidence is to stand out

Hadith of Bashara (good news)1. The effect of strangeness was that it drew

people to the ‘Strangers’.2. The ‘Strangers’ became leaders3. And ushered in an age of peace, harmony,

justice, compassion and mutual benefit

What happened once can happen again

What must we do?How to become ‘Strangers’?

Differentiate1. Differentiation creates Brand2. Brand creates loyalty3. Loyalty earns followers

Without brand you are a grain of rice in a sack

Stand out – not blend in1. A flag is a symbol, saluted only when it is on

its staff2. Stand out on the basis of goodness that is

attractive in itself and draws people towards it

3. Leaders stand out. Sheep blend in.People can only follow a clear sign

Toobah is for the ‘Strangers’

Allahهلالج لج said, ‘I have prepared for the pious, such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear

has ever heard of and nobody has every thought of.’

~ Sahih Bukhari Book # 60, Hadith # 303

Where do we stand today?

And what do we need to do?

Forking times in history1. Are characterized by turmoil due to which

the foundations of the structures of society are shaken

2. Thus for a short time it is given into the hands of ordinary people to change the direction of their future

We are living in such a time now

Muslims today in

the global

scheme of things

Two paradoxical requirements

1. Keep focused on the destination2. Be aware of the forces around you

The one who ignores the sea, dies

The one who can’t swim drowns

Same difference

Allah هلالج لج promised tests & His help

3شيء من الخوف والجوع3 ونقص من كم ب ولنبلون3ر3ين ر3 الصاب مرات3 وبش األموال3 واألنفس3 والث

Baqara 2: 155. And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and

fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin 

And Heهلالج لج told us what to do

3الصبر3 ذ3ين آمنوا استع3ينوا ب ها ال يا أي3ر3ين 3ن الله مع الصاب والصالة3 إ

Baqara 2: 153. O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly!

Allah is with As-Sabirin.

Today is the best time for us

Because we are alive

Become Standard Bearers

Or remain enslaved

Traditional leadership icons1. Military Generals, Kings & Queens2. Business tycoons – Net worth defined by

money3. Junk collectors – slaves of consumerism

Who you look up to influences who you will become

We need new role models1. We need to win hearts. We have to change

this conquest based empire narrative. 2. We need to write a new one based on

compassion, contribution, development, education, invention, inclusiveness and human dignity.

Today’s challenge for global leadership education

Change the ‘sales’ approach

1. From selling features• What does it have?

2. To selling benefits• What can it do for me?

Because everyone listens to WiiFM

‘Master’ or ‘Victim’Stances of Success

Window of Opportunity1. In the life of every man and woman comes

a time when they have a unique opportunity to make an impact and influence others.

2. To succeed we need to anticipate, prepare and act with courage when it opens

The window remains open only for a timeOur window is

open now!!

The Essential Truth1. Living life is about making choices:

Choosing to be a “Victim” Or choosing to be a “Master”

2. Subject to the same givens of society & environment

3. But with very different implications for the future

The time to choose is NOW

Distinguishing featuresVictims

1. Whine about what happened

2. Think of excuses3. Blame others4. Lose hope, give up,

perish

Masters1. Say, “What can I do?”2. Think of solutions3. Own responsibility4. Have courage to try new ways5. Win, even if they fail

‘Victim’ or ‘Master’ is a function of attitude, not wealth

What we need to doTo change the path of our future

Strategy 1. High value – quick returns2. Mass appeal – mass benefit3. Self-funding – minimum expense 4. Mindset change

Success is directly proportional to effort

3ال ما سعى 3نسان3 إ 3إل يس ل وأن ل

Najm 53: 39. And that man can have nothing except what he works for

Only effort produces results

Focus on 4 – areas1.Education2.Entrepreneurshi

p

3.Poverty alleviation

4.Collaboration

Focus turns ordinary light into laser

1. Education1. Integrate education2. Inculcate ethics, morals & values3. Inspire confidence, creativity,

inquisitiveness, imagination, inclusiveness, citizenship

Education is for life, not only for a living

2. Entrepreneurship1. To be entrepreneurial is to take

responsibility2. Move from consuming to contributing3. Learn how money works and how to make

it work

To do business honestly is worship

3. Poverty alleviation1. Poverty is not the result of lack of resources

but of lack of compassion2. Poverty doesn’t happen because people make

money but because of what they do with it3. Poverty, not GDP, is the real indicator of a

nation’s health

Poverty is cancer – our own cells will kill us

4. Collaboration1. Work together for a common goal2. Disagree without being disagreeable3. Don’t care who gets the credit

Focus on commonalities – not differences

Personal SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Self

Action PlanStart Stop Continu

e

Good sailing is about the sailor.

Not about the wind.

All change begins with Me