US court rules in favour of Muslim denied job for her hijab

Almighty Allah, in Suratul Al-Imran, reveals his hegemony, sovereignty in giving power to whomever HE wishes and relegates it from whomever HE wishes…”  (Q3 V26 -27). Allah describes the burden of power, in Suratul Al-Ahzab ,  which most of the creatures rejected but only man can take it up. Almighty Allah (SW) said, “truly, we […]

Almighty Allah, in Suratul Al-Imran, reveals his hegemony, sovereignty in giving power to whomever HE wishes and relegates it from whomever HE wishes…”  (Q3 V26 -27). Allah describes the burden of power, in Suratul Al-Ahzab ,  which most of the creatures rejected but only man can take it up. Almighty Allah (SW) said, “truly, we did offer (trust) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its result) (Q33 V72).
With this inclination of man to run after leadership without knowing how challenging and intricate the post is, most mankind do not wait to be chosen but ready to impose or be imposed on community. It was reported in an authentic hadith that Allah will surely lay off HIS hand from the affairs of a leader who imposes himself on people. How many of our leaders can boldly say that he is free of this phenomenon? As Islam is concerned, to be a leader is not an easy task for mankind because there some qualities that need to be sought for.
Leadership can be referred to as a process of moving people in a planned direction by motivating them into action through non-compulsive means. Therefore, leadership is not self-willed but desired actions expected by the followers.  It is otherwise known as both a role and a process of influencing others. With these definitions, it is necessary to discuss what the expected traits or attributes a good leader in Islam must posses.
Effective leadership does not create a chance for lying, deceit, arrogance, idleness, abuse of power, parochial thinking, self-decision and oligarchy system as modern democracy portrays but create a chance for fear of Allah, trust, straightforward principle, questionable and challenging position, and consultative ruling system as being portrayed by the great leader, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his rightly guided caliphs.
As a person that occupies the highest post in the community, a leader should consider himself as the chief servant for that community. This is not by mouth name but in deeds and action. Apart from this, he must have some qualities that will honour him more respect in the community.
The paramount attribute of a leader is to be visionary about his community. He must have a wide experience about the community with its people and know the plight that is confronting them. Try to find means of tackling the plight within available meaningful period. He should not wait and hold his hand till when the problem is going out of control. He also tries to identify untapped opportunities in his community.
A good leader does not consider only the opportunities on ground but tries to tap the other opportunities that have not been tapped. A visionary leader should design his plan of helping his community in terms of short time and long time plans. Systematically, his focus is to develop rational strategies to move forward that vision and accomplish this within his yearly frame work.
There is no way a leader will work effec-tively without consideration of some groups that will assist him or mar his smooth administration. He needs to enlist the support of the key power centres whose cooperation, compliance or teamwork is necessary. These groups may directly or indirectly involve in the administration and serve as pillars for the success of the administration. If care is not taken, some bad elements among them may try to sabotage and look for the downfall of the government while other are think-thank (technocrats) who daily plan with huge experience for the administration.
Failure of a leader to consider the both sides (mar or assist) will actually cause immediate or remote problem for his administration. Apart from incorporating them, they deserve to be highly motivated so that they can effectively, without having any iota of corruption, implement the strategies laid down by the leader while bad elements in the community should be also considered in term of peaceful negotiation with them or decisive actions to stop their devilish acts under the siege of some threatening organizations.
Apart from taking these steps, a leader must be a person with these characteristics. He must have it mind that leadership is all about service to the Almighty Allah alone. In this regard, he needs to be conscious of his actions towards followers. The Prophet (SAW) said “the leader of a community is their servant”. Also, his allegiance to his creator must be cordial and be cognizant of it when dealing with his followers. Through this, his commitment to the trust given to him will be safeguarded. He must be loyal to his community and be fair to all members of the community irrespective of any affiliation. Justice, equity, impartiality, must be his watch dog.
Another consideration the leader should have in mind is to allow freedom of thought from his followers. He should not consider all the advice from the followers as mere public opinions which should not be given second though. It is necessary for the leader to let his cabinet normally give high consideration to the people of the grass root because they know what they need than the minister and his cohorts. Their stand or advice to the administration of the community is weighed.
A sincere leader, without fear or favour, sticks to his promises made during the campaign or when taking  oath of office. Almighty Allah said in Suratul Saff, “Oh you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do” (Q61 V2).
Leadership in Islam is not a matter of ruling or directing people but a sincere servitude to Almighty Allah and humanity so that the trust placed upon a leader will not become a burden on him which may eventually distance him from the blessing of Almighty Allah in the hereafter if it is misguided.
May Almighty Allah guide our leaders aright and ease their tasks for them.

Gbadamosi Jelili O. is a member, Da’awah Affairs Committee, Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM), Abuja Branch