Prophet Mohammad: The Leader and Educator

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I chose the Prophet of my faith Islam to be the perfect example of leadership of all time. Based on the testimonies of prominent non-Muslims scholars, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) came first in the list of the most influential personalities of all time. Some Muslims scholars rejected the idea that Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) be compared with geniuses in history since he derived his perfect character, erudition and ingenious perceptions from the divine being (Allah) God. However, this great man although he was unlearned, and was alluded to in the JudeoChristian tradition in different texts as unlettered he showed in various instances and situations during his blessed life that he enjoyed a good nature and sheer wisdom. He was born an orphan and yet he adopted the world. Thus, he was called the orphan who adopted the world. He set a perfect example for his companions and the posterity. Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he? Lamartine, Historie de la Turquie, Paris 1854. The main qualities that were manifested in the personality and character of the prophet based on my observation of his seerah (biography) of different authors and sources in Arabic and English: Realism, Absolute belief in their message, personal courage, strong willpower and resolve, awareness of personal responsibility, far-sighted and goal-centered, Personal knowledge of each follower, strong character and praiseworthy virtues, and no worldly ambitions or abuse of authority. The Messenger possessed all these qualities and more as well. To cite only few examples, he never even thought of abandoning his mission when confronted with great hostility and tempting bribes. Instead, he would tell them, Say: There is no God but Allah, and prosper (in both worlds) (Al-hakim). When his companions complained about harsh conditions and persecution in Makkah, he answered, By Allah, Allah will bring this matter (the establishment of Islam) to its consummation till a rider will travel from Sanaa (city in Yemen) to Hadramut (region now in the southwest of the Arabian peninsula) fearing none but Allah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty (Al-Bukhari). Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was both a prophet of Allah and a statesman. His leadership was most comprehensive and dynamic. He was the paragon of virtue and spirituality. He was a noble and compassionate teacher, guide, and reformer. He was a family man. Indeed, he was also a political leader. As a political leader the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) unified the Arabian Peninsula, established a great state whose capital was Madinah, defeated his enemies, and had most successful military expeditions. However, his real political leadership was in the realm of morality and spirituality in which he conducted himself perfectly in situations of weakness as well as strength. His was of dealing in Makkah and Madinah indicates his great political leadership. The Hijrah to Ethiopia is also an example of his political skill in seeking alliances with others. When the persecution increased in Makkah and some of his followers found it difficult to live in the environment, he allowed them to migrate to Ethiopia and seek the help of the Christian King there. In Ethiopia Muslims found peace and they reciprocated the kings hospitality with prayers and support for the king and his party. Muslims relations were so good with the monarch that he grew to love Islam and before his death he became a Muslim. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took great care of his peoples religious as well as economic needs. Not only did he preach, but he was also concerned about their economic well-being. He made them treaties and alliances with many tribes. He had great diplomatic skills. He taught the world diplomacy that was built on morality and honesty. He honored all his treaties and he defended his people. He was aware of the surrounding circumstances and made his people ready and alert. He never initiated a battle or a war, but when he was attacked he was firm and decisive. He always emphasized peace and harmonious relations.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was a perfect teacher and instructor. He used a variety of educational methodologies and enjoyed brilliant teaching methods. In bringing up his companions, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) adopted various educational methods. Following are some of them: 1. Being Joyful in advice so that his companions would not get bored:

In this context, we recall the incident when a man came to the prophet (peace be upon him) and said, O Messenger of Allah! Give me a mount. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, We shall give you a shecamels child to ride on. He said, What shall I do with a she-camels child? The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, Do any others than she-camels give birth to camels? )Reported Abu Dawud). 2. Considering the state of the addressee:

Abu Wail reported that Abdurrahman used to give a religious talk to the people on every Thursday. Once a man said, O Abdur-Rahman! (By Allah) I wish if you you could preach us daily. He replied, The only thing which prevents me from doing so, is that I hate to bore you. No doubt, I consider your state in preaching by selecting a suitable time just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do with us, for fear of making us bored. (Reported by Al-Bukhari) 3. Narrating stories:

An-Numan ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His believing slave-servant than that of a person set out on a journey with a provision of food and drink on the back of his camel. He went on until he came to a waterless desert and he felt like sleeping. So he got down under the shade of a tree and was overcome by sleep, and his camel ran away. As he got up he tried to see it (the camel) standing upon a mound, but did not find it. He then got upon the other mound, but could not see anything until he came back to the place where he had been sleeping previously. And as he was sitting (in utter disappointment) there came to him his camel, till that (camel) placed its nose string in his hand. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave-servant than the person who found (his lost camel) in this very state. (Reported by Muslim) Bearing the above in mind, teachers and instructors should study the Prophets methods of education and make use of them in bringing up the Muslim generations so that they would benefit themselves, their societies and all humanity. It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for the mighty Arabia teacher. (Annie Besant, The Life and Teachings of Muhammad, Madras 1932, p.4) Bibliography: Armstrong, Karen, Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time, HarperCollins, 2006. Armstrong, Karen, Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, HarperCollins, 1993. Lings, Martin, Muhammad: His Life Based On the Earliest Sources, George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1983. Mohsen M. Al Mohsen Mohsen@zianet.com