The Leadership Aspect of Our Prophet (pbuh)
One remarkable dimension of the Prophet’s intelligence (fatanah) was his ability to solve every problem, regardless of its nature, with such ease and clarity, as if pulling a hair from butter. This alone is among the proofs of his prophethood. Today, there are many different approaches to leadership. These include:
Collective leadership emphasizes teamwork and making decisions that take into account the participation and desires of the community. Ethical leadership, centered around moral values and placing a high value on human dignity. Principle- and value-based leadership, which not only supports people’s professional and personal growth beyond just salaries but also enriches their overall lives, often embracing total quality management. Servant leadership, where power and authority are used to meet the various needs of the people.
Evaluating the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) solely through the lens of any one of these leadership models would be incomplete or inadequate. However, if we were to draw a parallel, the concept of servant leadership appears most aligned with the leadership style of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him). Servant leadership combines two roles—being a servant and a leader—and proposes a very different type of leader profile compared to other leadership models.
A servant leader is expected to have the following ten traits:
1.The ability to listen
2. Empathy
3. Healing and restoration
4. Awareness
5. Persuasion
6. Conceptual thinking
7. Foresight
8. Stewardship
9. Commitment to the growth of people
10. Building community beyond the workplace
When we examine the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it becomes clear that he embodied not only these traits but many more. In this article, we won’t be using any single leadership model as a framework. Instead, we will highlight key leadership qualities that define a successful and impactful leader, and discuss how the Master of All Leaders (peace and blessings be upon him) exemplified them.
The Prophet’s Leadership Qualities
1. His Courage
One of the essential traits of a leader is courage. A true leader must be bold and strong-hearted. At times, they may find themselves completely alone. It’s in those moments that natural courage saves them from falling into despair. When forced to stand alone for their cause or ideals, a leader must act as though they have an army behind them to achieve the intended goal. A leader must never fear death. Someone who fears everything and hesitates constantly cannot lead or govern. Courage is the backbone of all other virtues. It’s one of the core dynamics of spiritual strength. If someone is determined to struggle against negativity and face every hardship head-on, other necessary traits for leadership will naturally follow.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was inherently courageous. Not once in his life did he show a sign of cowardice. Islamic history is a living testament to his unwavering determination and bravery. At a time when all of Arabia was immersed in polytheism, he alone raised the banner of monotheism and stood up to an entire world of hostility. Through sheer willpower and courage, he overcame what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, and the solitary mission he began eventually gathered one hundred thousand followers around him.
The Prophet’s life is full of examples of bravery, particularly on the battlefield, where his heroism shines most vividly. As the brave companion Ali ibn Abi Talib recounts: “At the Battle of Badr, I saw that whenever things got intense, we would seek shelter behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He was always the closest to the enemy. He was the bravest of us all.”
A leader is someone who thrives in difficult moments. True leaders reveal themselves during crises and critical junctures. In this respect, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the epitome of unmatched courage. During the Battle of Hunayn, when the Muslim army was on the verge of collapse, he spurred his horse forward and cried out: “I am the Prophet, this is no lie. I am the son of Abdulmuttalib!” This rallying cry instilled courage in the soldiers and helped the army regroup.
2. His Determination
Leaders must defend the cause they believe in with unwavering determination. A leader who is not firmly committed to their mission cannot guide others, inspire enthusiasm, or ignite passion in their followers, and ultimately, such a person cannot succeed.
None of the messages a leader delivers should contradict real life. The leader must also be confident in the validity of these messages, not just for the present but also for the future. Just as someone who has witnessed an event with their own eyes can recount it with complete confidence and without hesitation, because they are certain of its truth, a leader, too, must carry that same certainty and conviction in the truth of their message. In fact, their belief in the truth of the message must be stronger than their belief in something they’ve seen with their own eyes.
But belief alone is not enough for success. The message must also align with reality. In other words, the ideas a leader presents should resonate with the rhythm of life, flowing seamlessly through its twists and turns, just as secret doors swing open and closed—they must be able to navigate these moments wisely and not get stuck behind any of those doors.
In this respect, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stands before us as a peerless figure of greatness. When we look at the lives of other leaders—those who are widely regarded as great—we often find moments of hesitation or instability. Very few leaders have been able to maintain their position and stance without faltering. Yet despite being subjected to every kind of hardship, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never once wavered in his mission, and he consistently maintained his unique and steadfast approach in the face of challenges. It was this unwavering determination that raised an exemplary generation of companions—people who were willing to lay down their lives for the cause they believed in.
The Master of the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon him) endured unimaginable difficulties in Mecca. He lost his two greatest supporters—his wife and his uncle—one after the other. Still, he never lost hope or faltered in his resolve. He tirelessly knocked on every door and visited every marketplace in Mecca to spread his message. Not only did he remain firm in the face of adversity, but he also rejected the worldly comforts and privileges that the Meccans offered him in exchange for abandoning his mission. He stood firm, uncompromising, and continued to proclaim his message.
3. His Ability to Make Quick and Accurate Decisions
Every leader must possess the ability to make swift and sound decisions. It is well-known that decision-making lies at the core of leadership. However, not every decision is accurate, nor is every decision timely. Whether it’s delayed or premature, a decision made out of proper timing is unlikely to be effective. What elevates a leader’s decision above the ordinary is that it is made both at the right time and with precision.
There are moments in life that demand immediate, critical decisions. In such moments, true leaders distinguish themselves from the ordinary—they rise to the occasion and demonstrate their caliber. With sharp intuition and foresight, they make rapid decisions that hit the mark. Typically, decisions made in haste tend to be flawed because urgency and accuracy are often seen as opposites—two qualities that rarely coexist. But real leaders are those rare individuals who can seamlessly unite these two opposing traits.
Crises and challenging times are especially important in this regard. They bring out true leaders and set them apart from average ones. Decisions made during peaceful times may go unnoticed, but there are critical moments in life where a single decision can have profound consequences. In such times, hesitation or delay may mean the difference between success and failure, perhaps even disaster.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) never made a decision that ended in failure. On the contrary, his well-timed decisions often turned impending defeat into victory. The Battle of Uhud is a prime example of this. It was a battle in Islamic history where defeat and victory were experienced almost simultaneously—more accurately, it was a moment when defeat was transformed into victory through strategic leadership.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also used his ability to make quick decisions as a means to prevent potentially disastrous outcomes. For example, during the Banu Mustaliq campaign, he swiftly diffused the fitna (discord) that Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites, was attempting to ignite. Ibn Ubayy sought to exploit a conflict over water between Jahjah ibn Mas‘ud al-Ghifari and Sinan ibn Wabr al-Juhani, inflaming tensions and rousing the hypocrites against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with remarks like: “They’re disturbing us in our own land. These Qurayshi Muslims are like the saying, ‘Raise a crow and it will peck out your eyes.’ Once we return to Medina, the honored will surely expel the disgraced.”
Upon hearing this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) acted immediately—an example of his exceptional foresight and decisiveness. Without hesitation, he ordered the army to march at once. They traveled for nearly thirty hours, exhausting themselves to the point that, once they stopped, everyone fell asleep instantly. This brilliant maneuver left no room for the conflict to grow or the fitna to spread.
4. His Problem-Solving Ability
One of the essential qualities a leader must possess is the ability to overcome all kinds of challenges. In modern management theory, a leader is often described as a “problem solver.” From this perspective, leadership could be defined as the art of solving problems. In fact, the very reason for a leader’s presence in a leadership position is to resolve issues. Problems are constantly brought to leaders, and they are expected to find solutions. A leader’s success is therefore measured by how effectively and skillfully they solve these problems. The truest indicator of a person’s knowledge and competence is their problem-solving ability and their success in doing so.
A leader earns the trust and admiration of their community through their capacity to resolve individual, familial, social, economic, and political issues. The more a leader can help solve such personal and communal challenges, the more respect and loyalty they gain. They are loved, honored, celebrated, and remembered by those they serve. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was exactly such a leader—one who solved the problems of humanity at every level. His arbitration during the dispute over the placement of the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad), his handling of post-migration tensions in Medina by forging a bond of brotherhood between the Emigrants (Muhājirūn) and the Helpers (Anṣār), and the drafting of the Constitution of Medina are all examples of his wisdom in conflict resolution. Likewise, his swift and fair handling of the tension that arose during the distribution of the spoils of war after the Battle of Ḥunayn all highlight his divinely guided insight and unmatched ability to solve problems with clarity and justice.
5. His Dedication to Developing People
Another key trait that every true leader should have is a deep commitment to the growth and development of people. This isn’t just about saying development is important—it means actively investing in people’s growth and treating it as a non-negotiable responsibility.
Today, there are various models of leadership and management, and one of the most meaningful among them is the concept of servant leadership. According to this model, a leader should be deeply invested in the growth and well-being of those they lead. Every individual carries inherent value, and a good leader recognizes this, striving to support the personal, professional, and spiritual development of each person under their care.
A leader’s greatest asset is their people. That’s why it’s essential for a leader to work diligently for the well-being and advancement of their followers, and to create the right conditions and opportunities for their development. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)highlighted this responsibility clearly, saying: “I was sent as a teacher.”
He emerged in a society where literacy was extremely rare—people were largely unlettered. Yet, especially during his time in Medina, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led a widespread education campaign. He even dedicated a section of the mosque to this purpose. This space became known as al-Ṣuffah—the first Islamic university of its kind. The Prophet himself would teach there, but others also helped teach reading, writing, and the Qur’an. One of them, ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit, reported that he taught members of the Ṣuffah how to read and write. Likewise, ʿAbdullāh ibn Saʿīd al-Āṣ was appointed by the Prophet to teach writing to the people of Medina.
One of the most remarkable examples of the Prophet’s dedication to education appeared after the Battle of Badr. Among the captives were individuals who were literate. At the time, none of the Anṣār (Medinan Muslims) were skilled in writing. So, the Prophet offered these captives freedom in exchange for teaching ten Muslim children how to read and write. Zayd ibn Thābit, one of the Prophet’s prominent scribes, was among those who learned writing through this initiative.
In addition to al-Ṣuffah, educational activities expanded into the neighborhoods of Medina. By the second year after the migration, a new school dedicated to Qur’an education—called Dār al-Qurrāʾ—was established in the home of Makhramah ibn Nawfal. The Prophet’s investment in people yielded remarkable results in a short period. In just 23 years, he transformed a tribal, largely unlettered society into an enlightened community capable of guiding all of humanity.
6. His Power of Persuasion
Another key quality a leader must possess is the power of persuasion. Rather than relying solely on positional authority when making decisions, a true leader seeks to persuade the people affected by those decisions. Instead of coercion, they appeal to the minds and hearts of others, capturing not just their intellect but also their emotions and spirit to inspire action.
When we look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), we clearly see this approach. He consistently tried to persuade those he addressed, appealing to both their intellect and emotions. A powerful example of this is the heartfelt speech he delivered to the Anṣār (the Helpers of Medina) to resolve the tension that arose over the distribution of the spoils after the Battle of Ḥunayn. Another example is the conversation he had with a young man named Julaybīb, who asked the Prophet for permission to commit fornication. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) responded not with anger, but with calm reasoning and gentle questions, ultimately convincing the young man with wisdom and compassion.
7. His Sense of Responsibility
A true leader is someone who lives with a profound sense of responsibility. Difficult obstacles or the comforts that come with power and privilege cannot deter a responsible leader from their duty. Such a person remains unwavering in fulfilling their obligations. They expect no reward or compensation for their service. This trait is often described through the metaphor of “shepherding,” as reflected in the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for your flock.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the embodiment of responsibility. His primary duty was to convey the message of God—to introduce every individual to the knowledge of their Creator. This mission of conveying divine truth (tablīgh) is, in fact, the very purpose of every prophet’s existence. Without it, the concept of prophethood would be meaningless. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was deeply passionate about fulfilling this mission. According to the Qur’an, his concern for people’s belief was so intense that he nearly exhausted himself over their reluctance to accept the truth: “Perhaps you would destroy yourself with grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message.”
(Qur’an, 18:6)
8. His Foresight
A leader is someone who guides people along the path toward the future. To do this effectively, a leader must be able to envision the outcome of the path they’re walking. This requires foresight—an essential quality that allows a leader to anticipate events before they occur. While it may be difficult to define foresight as a skill, it’s easy to recognize in those who possess it. Foresight is closely tied to intuition and is sharpened by learning from the realities of the past and present. It enables a leader to understand the likely consequences of today’s decisions on tomorrow’s outcomes.
A leader’s foresight is also crucial for consistency in principles and vision. Someone who cannot rise above the limitations of their current situation may end up making decisions that are inconsistent or short-sighted. In such cases, today’s actions and tomorrow’s words may contradict one another, causing confusion and division among followers and weakening their trust in the leader.
Simply saying “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was foresighted” would fall short—and might even be disrespectful in a sense—because his foresight cannot be separated from his divine role as a prophet. He was not just a wise man, but a messenger of God. Because of his prophethood, he transcended the limits of time and space and had access to realms hidden from ordinary human perception.
A powerful example of the Prophet’s foresight can be found in the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah. Even a careful examination of the treaty’s terms is enough to appreciate the depth of his vision and wisdom.
9. His Love for His People—and Being Loved by Them
The relationship between the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions was deeply rooted in mutual love. A true leader is someone who loves every member of their community so sincerely that each individual feels as though they are the most beloved to him, and in return, they love him just as deeply. There must be complete trust between the leader and their followers. A true leader is a person whose presence is felt not only outwardly but also deeply in the hearts of those around him.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was exactly this kind of leader—deeply loved and loving. Each of his companions believed they were the one he loved the most. Every individual felt uniquely close to him. After coming to know him and accepting faith, no one ever left Islam out of disappointment or resentment toward him. He had a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel seen, valued, and emotionally connected to him.
10. His Ability to Recognize and Utilize Talent
A true leader is a connoisseur of human character—someone who knows the people under their command better than anyone else. If a person does not know who to assign to what task, to what extent, and for what purpose—and cannot make sound judgments in these matters—they cannot even be considered a competent manager, let alone a great leader.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had an unparalleled ability to understand people. He was highly precise and insightful in the way he assigned responsibilities. Whoever he appointed to a task was undoubtedly the most qualified and suitable person for that specific role. So much so that even if he had provided no other proof of his prophethood, this ability alone—his talent in identifying the potential and capabilities of people, assigning them to roles that matched their strengths, utilizing their energies to the fullest, and never being mistaken in his choices—would be enough evidence. Except for a few diplomatic exceptions made for specific individuals’ sensitivities, everyone he appointed remained in their position until the end of his life.
11. A Pure and Honorable Past
It is critically important for a leader to have a clean and honorable past, free from actions that would cast suspicion or undermine their integrity. One of the biggest issues modern leaders face is the resurfacing of past mistakes or wrongdoings, which can tarnish their reputation and end their leadership careers.
In contrast, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) lived among his people for forty years before his prophethood and was known for his flawless character. He was universally trusted and called “Muḥammad al-Amīn”—”Muhammad the Trustworthy.” Even before being appointed as a prophet, he lived a life of integrity and dignity befitting one.
Conclusion
The list of qualities that define a successful leader or administrator could be extended much further. But even based on the characteristics discussed here, the exceptional leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) becomes abundantly clear. Modeling the ideal leadership profile after his life serves as a safeguard for today’s leaders, helping them avoid ego-driven or misguided forms of leadership. This is because the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) is the highest embodiment of the concept of the “insān al-kāmil”—the perfect human being.
Hasan Yenibaş, April-May-June 2008, Issue: 80, Year: 21
