LEADERSHIP IN ISLAM

Sheikh Muhammad Turi delivered a lecture on Leadership in Islam during the second segment of Imam Week programme.

He define leadership as “act of guiding people towards the wishes and commands of Allah(SW)”  He added that based on this definition quite a number of perceptions about leadership have been excluded.

He described similitude of leadership as a head in the body without which there can be no life.

 He added that it is based on guidance and anybody who does not fall within this definition is not a leader in our own view.

Mal. Muhammad Turi delivering his lecture.

He expressed that prophets (AS) are leaders, also A’immah(AS)  chosen by God Himself. The position of leader is not left to chance, it is ordained by Allah (SW).

He cited the example of prophet Ibraheem (AS) who was chosen by God through a decree after being tried. This is the case with all the prophets (AS). Leadership is not by accident. He added.

He lamented that there is fundamental difference from what the prophet has thought the Ummah and what is obtained today. He added that the Prophet declared, ”the successors after me are twelve in number”  thus the prophet (AS) did not leave the Ummah without giving it all it needs of leadership.

The event of Ghadeer is one of the examples where the Prophet appointed his successor and also in many occasions. He described Ahlul bayt(AS) as Ark of Noah.

Sheikh Turi told audience that, in the locality they found themselves, they have to thank God as they happened to be among those who understand leadership.

He added that a leader must not necessarily hold political position. Stating examples of leadership, he cited Iran, a county with leadership and authority.

While in the case of Lebanon he said it is a type of leadership with a leader (Nasrallah) though not having authority in his hands. He noted that here in Nigeria there is Sheikh El-zakzaky.He elaborated further that this is time of Imam of the Time (AJ).

 The revolution of Imam Khomeini has penetrated all parts of the globe and we are the followers of Imam Khomeini since our leader is the follower of Imam. Our struggle under the leadership of Sheikh Zakzaky is an elongation of Imam’s struggle, he added.

The issue of leadership is plain and simple as far as Islam is concerned, he concluded.