The document discusses Islamic perspectives on leadership and change from the 7th century to the 21st century. It notes that in the 7th century, Prophet Muhammad and his followers were a minority in Mecca but within 20 years became leaders of Arabia without using force. It emphasizes understanding one's core purpose and doing what it takes to fulfill that purpose. The document outlines Muslims' core purposes today as introducing Allah and Prophet Muhammad, establishing justice, alleviating suffering, and ensuring access to basic needs. It discusses beliefs about Allah's attributes and humans' relationship with Him. It also provides details about Prophet Muhammad's manners, example for mankind, and impartiality in administering justice.

1. Strangers
Islamic perspectives in leadership & change

2. 7th century versus 21st century
1. Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ 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 Muhammad‫ﷺ‬ 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 ُ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬ ‫َاء‬‫ش‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬

3. Focus
1. To understand leadership we must know what our
Core Purpose is; why do we exist
2. And then we must do what it takes, to fulfill that
purpose
3. That is our differentiator, our signature, our flag
Why do we Muslims exist?

4. ْ‫ت‬َ‫ج‬ ِ‫ر‬ْ‫خ‬ُ‫أ‬ ٍ‫ة‬‫ه‬‫م‬ُ‫أ‬ َ‫ْر‬‫ي‬َ‫خ‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ت‬‫ن‬ُ‫ك‬َ‫ون‬ُ‫ر‬ُ‫م‬ْ‫أ‬َ‫ت‬ ِ‫اس‬‫ه‬‫ن‬‫ل‬ِ‫ل‬
ِ‫ن‬َ‫ع‬ َ‫ن‬ ْ‫و‬َ‫ه‬ْ‫ن‬َ‫ت‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫وف‬ُ‫ر‬ْ‫ع‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ال‬ِ‫ب‬‫و‬ُ‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ْ‫ؤ‬ُ‫ت‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ر‬َ‫ك‬‫ن‬ُ‫م‬ْ‫ال‬َ‫ن‬
ِ ّ‫اَّلل‬ِ‫ب‬
A’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

5. Brotherhood in Islam
On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik who
reported that the Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ 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

6. Our Core Purpose today
1. To introduce Allah‫ﷻ‬ &
Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ to people
2. To establish justice
3. To fight injustice
4. To alleviate suffering
5. To lead in all education
6. To ensure equitable
distribution of wealth
7. To enable access to food,
shelter, health & education
We came to collaborate, not compete

7. Allah‫ﷻ‬
There’s nobody worthy of worship except Him

8. Who is Allah‫?ﷻ‬
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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Our relationship with Allah‫ﷻ‬
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.

12. َ‫ر‬ْ‫س‬َ‫أ‬ َ‫ين‬ِ‫ذ‬‫ه‬‫ال‬ َ‫ي‬ِ‫د‬‫ا‬َ‫ب‬ِ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ي‬ ْ‫ل‬ُ‫ق‬َ‫ل‬ ْ‫م‬ِ‫ه‬ِ‫س‬ُ‫ف‬‫ن‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ى‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ ‫وا‬ُ‫ف‬
‫ه‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ ِ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬ ِ‫ة‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ح‬‫ه‬‫ر‬ ‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ ‫وا‬ُ‫ط‬َ‫ن‬ْ‫ق‬َ‫ت‬ُ‫ن‬ُّ‫ذ‬‫ال‬ ُ‫ر‬ِ‫ف‬ْ‫غ‬َ‫ي‬ َ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬َ‫وب‬
‫ه‬‫الر‬ ُ‫ور‬ُ‫ف‬َ‫غ‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ُ‫ه‬ ُ‫ه‬‫ه‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ ‫ا‬ً‫ع‬‫ي‬ِ‫م‬َ‫ج‬ُ‫م‬‫ي‬ ِ‫ح‬
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.

13. Muhammad‫ﷺ‬
The Messenger of Allah‫ﷻ‬

14. Muhammadur Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬
ْ‫ح‬َ‫ر‬ ‫ه‬‫ل‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫َاك‬‫ن‬ْ‫ل‬َ‫س‬ ْ‫ر‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ َ‫و‬َ‫ين‬ِ‫م‬َ‫ل‬‫ا‬َ‫ع‬ْ‫ل‬ِّ‫ل‬ ً‫ة‬َ‫م‬
Anbiya 21:107 And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not
but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (worlds)

15. Hilf-ul-Fudhul
1. “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.”

16. Constitution of Madina
1. “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. Hamidullah
Based on Sahifa Madina, the original document created by Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬

17. His manners
ِ‫ظ‬َ‫ع‬ ٍ‫ق‬ُ‫ل‬ُ‫خ‬ ‫لى‬َ‫ع‬َ‫ل‬ َ‫ك‬‫ه‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ٍ‫يم‬
Qalam 68: 4. And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are on
an exalted standard of character.

18. Example for all mankind
ِ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬ ِ‫ل‬‫و‬ُ‫س‬َ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬َ‫ل‬ َ‫ان‬َ‫ك‬ ْ‫د‬َ‫ق‬َ‫ل‬ِّ‫ل‬ ٌ‫َة‬‫ن‬َ‫س‬َ‫ح‬ ٌ‫ة‬ َ‫و‬ْ‫س‬ُ‫أ‬‫ن‬َ‫م‬
ْ‫ال‬ َ‫م‬ ْ‫و‬َ‫ي‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ َ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬ ‫و‬ُ‫ج‬ ْ‫ر‬َ‫ي‬ َ‫ان‬َ‫ك‬َ‫ك‬ َ ‫ه‬‫اَّلل‬ َ‫ر‬َ‫ك‬َ‫ذ‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫ر‬ ِ‫خ‬‫ا‬ً‫ير‬ِ‫ث‬
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.

19. Impartiality is justice
1. Narrated Anas bin Malik that Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ said,
“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or the
oppressed. People asked, ‘Ya Rasoolullah‫!ﷺ‬ It is all right
to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help
him if he is an oppressor?’
2. Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ said, “By preventing him from oppressing
others.”
No discrimination in Islam on any basis

20. Anas ibn Malik reported, that Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬ said:
ِ‫ف‬‫ا‬َ‫ك‬ َ‫ان‬َ‫ك‬ ْ‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫وم‬ُ‫ل‬ْ‫ظ‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫ة‬ َ‫و‬ْ‫ع‬َ‫د‬ ‫وا‬ُ‫ق‬‫ه‬‫ت‬‫ا‬َ‫ه‬َ‫ن‬‫ُو‬‫د‬ َ‫ْس‬‫ي‬َ‫ل‬ ُ‫ه‬‫ه‬‫ن‬َِِ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ً‫ر‬ٌ‫اب‬َ‫ج‬ ِ‫ح‬ ‫ا‬
Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an
unbeliever, for there is no barrier between it and Allah‫ﷻ‬
[Musnad Ahmad 12140, Grade: Sahih]
Justice is the true metric by which Allah‫ﷻ‬ supports
or rejects a community

21. Reward of following Sunnah
َ‫ف‬ َ ّ‫اَّلل‬ َ‫ون‬ُّ‫ب‬ ِ‫ح‬ُ‫ت‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ت‬‫ن‬ُ‫ك‬ ‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ ْ‫ل‬ُ‫ق‬ْ‫ب‬ِ‫ب‬ْ‫ح‬ُ‫ي‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ن‬‫و‬ُ‫ع‬ِ‫ب‬‫ه‬‫ت‬‫ا‬ُ ّ‫اَّلل‬ ُ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬
ُ ّ‫اَّلل‬ َ‫و‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬َ‫ب‬‫و‬ُ‫ن‬ُ‫ذ‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬َ‫ل‬ ْ‫ر‬ِ‫ف‬ْ‫غ‬َ‫ي‬ َ‫و‬ٌ‫م‬‫ي‬ ِ‫ح‬‫ه‬‫ر‬ ٌ‫ور‬ُ‫ف‬َ‫و‬
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."

22. Study the Seerah
1. People came to Islam because they fell in love with
Rasoolullah‫ﷺ‬
2. Islam is a practice – Only action produces results
3. Islam changed the definition of net worth from
Abu Lahb (money) to Abu Bakr (character)
Stop talking – start showing

23. Ask, “Am I being beneficial?”
1. All knowledge and action must be tested on this
criterion of being beneficial
2. All that is exploitative is prohibited & punished
3. All that is beneficial is promoted & rewarded
What you do doesn’t define good or evil.
Why you do it, does.

24. Become ‘Strangers’
“First they ignore you, then they
laugh at you, then they fight you,
then you win.”
~ Gandhiji

25. Who are the Strangers?
1. In a world of corruption, integrity is a stranger
2. In a world of lies, truth is a stranger
3. In a world of cruelty, compassion is a stranger
4. In a world of ignorance, knowledge is a stranger
Strangers are the Standard Bearers

26. ،‫ا‬ً‫ب‬‫غري‬ ‫اإلسالم‬ ‫بدأ‬
،‫بدأ‬ ‫كما‬ ‫ا‬ً‫ب‬‫غري‬ ‫وسيعود‬
‫للغرباء‬ ‫وبي‬ُ‫ط‬َ‫ف‬
(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]

27. Nature of strangeness
1. 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

28. Hadith of Bashara (good news)
1. The effect of strangeness was that it drew people to
the ‘Strangers’.
2. The ‘Strangers’ became leaders
3. And ushered in an age of peace, harmony, justice,
compassion and mutual benefit
What happened once can happen again

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

30. Differentiate
1. Differentiation creates Brand
2. Brand creates loyalty
3. Loyalty earns followers
Without brand you are a grain of rice in a sack

31. Stand out – not blend in
1. A flag is a symbol, saluted only when it is on its staff
2. 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

32. Toobah is for the ‘Strangers’
Allah‫ﷻ‬ 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

33. Where do we stand today?
And what do we need to do?

34. Forking times in history
1. 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

35. Muslims
today in
the global
scheme of
things

36. Two paradoxical requirements
1. Keep focused on the destination
2. Be aware of the forces around you
The one who ignores the sea, dies
The one who can’t swim drowns
Same difference

37. Allah‫ﷻ‬ promised tests & His help
َ‫خ‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫ن‬ِّ‫م‬ ٍ‫ء‬ْ‫ي‬َ‫ش‬ِ‫ب‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬‫ه‬‫ن‬ َ‫و‬ُ‫ل‬ْ‫ب‬َ‫ن‬َ‫ل‬ َ‫و‬َ‫ن‬ِّ‫م‬ ٍ‫ص‬ْ‫ق‬َ‫ن‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫وع‬ُ‫ج‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ ْ‫وف‬
ِّ‫ش‬َ‫ب‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ت‬‫ا‬َ‫ر‬َ‫م‬‫ه‬‫ث‬‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫س‬ُ‫ف‬‫األن‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ل‬‫ا‬ َ‫و‬َ‫م‬َ‫أل‬‫ا‬َ‫ين‬ ِ‫ر‬ِ‫ب‬‫ا‬‫ه‬َ‫ال‬ ِ‫ر‬
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

38. And He‫ﷻ‬ told us what to do
ِ‫ع‬َ‫ت‬ْ‫س‬‫ا‬ ْ‫ا‬‫و‬ُ‫ن‬َ‫م‬‫آ‬ َ‫ين‬ِ‫ذ‬‫ه‬‫ال‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ه‬ُّ‫ي‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ي‬‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ْر‬‫ب‬‫ه‬َ‫ال‬ِ‫ب‬ ْ‫ا‬‫و‬ُ‫ن‬‫ي‬ِ‫ة‬َ‫ال‬‫ه‬َ
َ‫ين‬ ِ‫ر‬ِ‫ب‬‫ا‬‫ه‬َ‫ال‬ َ‫ع‬َ‫م‬ َ ّ‫اَّلل‬ ‫ه‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬
Baqara 2: 153. O you who believe! Seek help in patience
and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin.

39. Today is the best time for us
Because we are alive

40. Become Standard Bearers
Or remain enslaved

41. Traditional leadership icons
1. Military Generals, Kings & Queens
2. Business tycoons – Net worth defined by money
3. Junk collectors – slaves of consumerism
Who you look up to influences who you will become

42. We need new role models
1. 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

43. 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

44. ‘Master’ or ‘Victim’
Stances of Success

45. Window of Opportunity
1. 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 time

46. The Essential Truth
1. 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

47. Distinguishing features
Victims
1. Whine about what
happened
2. Think of excuses
3. Blame others
4. Lose hope, give up, perish
Masters
1. Say, “What can I do?”
2. Think of solutions
3. Own responsibility
4. Have courage to try new ways
5. Win, even if they fail
‘Victim’ or ‘Master’ is a function of attitude, not wealth

49. What we need to do
To change the path of our future

50. Strategy
1. High value – quick returns
2. Mass appeal – mass benefit
3. Self-funding – minimum expense
4. Mindset change
Success is directly proportional to effort

51. ِ‫إ‬ ِ‫ان‬َ‫س‬‫ن‬ِ ْ‫ْل‬ِ‫ل‬ َ‫ْس‬‫ي‬‫ه‬‫ل‬ ‫ن‬َ‫أ‬ َ‫و‬‫ى‬َ‫ع‬َ‫س‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ ‫ه‬‫ل‬
Najm 53: 39. And that man can have nothing
except what he works for
Only effort produces results

52. Focus on 4 – areas
1. Education
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Poverty alleviation
4. Collaboration
Focus turns ordinary light into laser

53. 1. Education
1. Integrate education
2. Inculcate ethics, morals & values
3. Inspire confidence, creativity, inquisitiveness,
imagination, inclusiveness, citizenship
Education is for life, not only for a living

54. 2. Entrepreneurship
1. To be entrepreneurial is to take responsibility
2. Move from consuming to contributing
3. Learn how money works and how to make it work
To do business honestly is worship

55. 3. Poverty alleviation
1. Poverty is not the result of lack of resources but of
lack of compassion
2. Poverty doesn’t happen because people make
money but because of what they do with it
3. Poverty, not GDP, is the real indicator of a nation’s
health
Poverty is cancer – our own cells will kill us

56. 4. Collaboration
1. Work together for a common goal
2. Disagree without being disagreeable
3. Don’t care who gets the credit
Focus on commonalities – not differences

58. Personal SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
Opportunities Threats
Self

59. Action Plan
Start Stop Continue

60. Good sailing is about the sailor.
Not about the wind.

61. All change begins with Me