QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP

QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP

1998 7-8 July-August 9 QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP (194) In the context of his relationship with the Caliph Umar, Abdullah ibn Abbas says that he served him better even than the members of his own household, and that he used to seat me next to him and showed me great respect.” He relates how one day when he was alone with him in his home, he suddenly heaved such a deep sigh that it was as if he was about to surrender his soul. Abdullah enquired. “Is it because of some apprehension that you heave this sigh?” “It is, indeed,” he replied, and asking Abdullah to come nearer, he told him that he did not know of anyone capable of taking on ‘this work’ – by which he meant the Caliphate. Abdullah ibn Abbas then mentioned six names, and asked the Caliph if he did not know them. Umar commented on each one of them in turn and then said: “One who is firm but not overbearing, soft but not weak, generous but not extravagant, thrifty but not miserly – only such a person is fit for this task.” According to Abdullah ibn Abbas, only Umar ibn al-Khattab himself possessed all these qualities.

(Kanz al-Ummal)