The Lessons

Salam alayk wrh.
Although it's been a week into Shawwal, Eid Mubarak!

I've been busy for the whole Ramadan which explains my absence of posts during that time period. Alhamdulillah aside from busy doubling ibadah during the blessed month, I was assigned by Allah Azza wa Jalla to help my faculty enjoy the whole Ramadan with all its splendour.

I don't think it'll be detailed of what is it that Allah assigned to me but I do want to share my experience and lessons He taught me through it.

Let's start.

Lesson #1: Leadership is to know your people and bring out their best.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَ (٣٠)

30. Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."
[Al-Baqarah 2:30]

Everyone is a leader and Allah has appointed to each of us as his Servant, Peacekeeper and Ambassador. Even so, not many have the knack of being the leader; to give the right instruction at the right time to the right person.

But then, everyone needs a first time to kick-off. So it can be said that everyone needs to be ready to be a leader and the follower because the situation might just need to change in a split second.  Being the better leader is to know your team’s strength and weaknesses then giving tasks that suit the best person for the job not about just giving orders blindly without pausing to think.

Lesson #2: Be the visionary not the missionary.

When it comes to planning and handling people, the most important thing is to know what you want objectively achieve in the end. How to do is seconded. How are you supposed to find something when you don’t know what is? It’s the same situation. It doesn’t hurt to have a subjective aim but you’ll hurt your head more just to find what really the vision to be achieved is.

Thus the above verse can also be applied.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْضِ خَلِيفَةً 

"Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth."
[Al-Baqarah 2:30]
It’s a simple reason but with a mountain of motive and hundreds of paths to choose from.

Be a scholar and learn the sea of knowledge so that it triggers the mind to think of Allah’s greatness.

Be a professional and commit one to be in service for others so that they can continue being a better Servant.

Be a politician and rule the world according to His decrees.

Lesson #3: All for one and one for all.

“A Muslim is akin to another Muslim.”

It’s a famous hadeeth but how many feel it? How many sees his Muslim brother as a real brother?  His name is your name. His pain is your pain. Do not be a burden to others but be an asset.

َوَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ (١٠٣)  

103. And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah.s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts In love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs Clear to you: that ye may be guided.
[Ali-Imran, 3:103]

Ukhuwwah for Allah is the greatest bond. With it, not only friendship is everlasting but also blessed by the Merciful. Brothers in the Deen feel empathy not sympathy. Note the difference.

That's all for now. I know it's not the usual post but hey, you've got to try something new once in a while.

Salam alayk wrh.

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