Mirza Jahanzeb Beg
One of the most pressing challenges facing the Muslim world today is the lack of effective and visionary leadership that can guide the ummah towards its rightful place in the global community. The current situation of the Muslim world is marked by political instability, social unrest, economic underdevelopment, sectarian violence, and cultural decline. The Muslim ummah is in dire need of leaders who can inspire, motivate, and mobilize the masses to overcome these challenges and achieve their collective aspirations.
Leadership is not a mere position or title, but a quality of character and a skill of action. It is the ability to influence others towards a common goal, to create a shared vision, to foster a culture of excellence, and to embody the values and principles of Islam. Leadership is not a monopoly of a few, but a responsibility of all. Every Muslim, regardless of his or her status, profession, or location, has the potential and the duty to be a leader in his or her own sphere of influence.
However, the current state of leadership in the Muslim world is far from ideal. Many of the so-called leaders who claim to represent the interests of the ummah are either corrupt, incompetent, or oppressive. They lack the moral integrity, the intellectual acumen, the spiritual insight, and the strategic vision that are essential for effective leadership. They are more concerned with their personal agendas, their sectarian affiliations, and their worldly gains than with the welfare of the ummah and the cause of Islam. They are unable to unite the ummah and to address the complex and dynamic challenges of the contemporary world.
This leadership crisis is not only a source of frustration and disappointment for the Muslim masses, but also a grave threat to the future of the Islamic civilization.
As the renowned poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal said, “Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.”
Without visionary and virtuous leaders, the Muslim ummah will continue to suffer from disunity, decline, and degradation. The Muslim ummah will lose its identity, its dignity, and its destiny.
The leadership crisis in the Muslim world is not a new phenomenon, nor is it unique to the Muslim world. Throughout history, different civilizations have faced similar challenges and have produced different responses. The Eastern and Western philosophies have offered different perspectives and paradigms on the nature, role, and development of leadership. For instance, the Eastern philosophy of Taoism emphasizes the harmony between the leader and the followers, the balance between the individual and the collective, and the adaptation to the changing circumstances. The Western philosophy of democracy emphasizes the participation of the people, the accountability of the leader, and the protection of the rights and freedoms. Both philosophies have their merits and limitations, and both can offer valuable insights and lessons for the Muslim world.
However, the ultimate source and model of leadership for the Muslim world is none other than the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was sent by Allah as a mercy to the worlds and as the best example for mankind. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the epitome of leadership, who transformed a society of ignorance, injustice, and divide into a community of faith, justice, and brotherhood. He was the leader who united the diverse tribes of Arabia, who established the first Islamic Political state in Medina, who defended the nascent Muslim community against the enemies of peace and justice, and who spread the message of Prophetic Wisdom to the four corners of the world. He was the leader who embodied the qualities of wisdom, courage, compassion, humility, and sincerity. He was the leader who nurtured and empowered his companions, who delegated and consulted with them, and who left behind a legacy of leadership that inspired generations of Muslims.
The Muslim world today needs to revive the spirit and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to produce leaders who can follow in his footsteps. The Muslim world today needs to develop a culture of leadership that is based on the prophetic values and principles, that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the ummah, and that is relevant to the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. The Muslim world today needs to invest in the education and training of its youth, who are the future leaders of the ummah, and to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to realize their potential and to contribute to the progress and prosperity of the ummah.
The leadership crisis in the Muslim world is a historic blunder and a serious harm to the fabrics of our glorious Islamic civilization. But it is not an irreversible fate or a hopeless despair. It is a challenge and an opportunity for the Muslim ummah to rise up and to reclaim its rightful place in the world.
As Allama Iqbal said, “From your past emerges the present, and from the present is born your future.”
The Muslim ummah has a glorious past, a promising present, and a bright future. All it needs is the leadership that can make it happen.
Mirza Jahanzeb Beg is a Psychologist and Author who talks about Philosophy, Science and Sufism and can be reached out on his Facebook page
