TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP HAVING A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
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Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP HAVING A LOOK INTO THE
LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
Dr.Mashallah Valikhani Dehaghani
Professor and Faculty Member of Management, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University,
Dehaghan, Iran
Abstract
Leadership is one of the most traditional phenomena throughout societies. If Leadership
considered as a way to influence others’ behavior, it can say leadership was revealed from the
day human and the world created. When God created human and the world, took control over
them, leadership dominated on their life. In this sense, as quoted by Hazrat Musa (AS), it can
see in Quran “God is the one who conducted everything that created”. Transformational
leadership as one of the leadership paradigms to improve organization’s performance in
today’s changing world by the ability to motivate employees and develop an organizational
culture in which ethics assumed as a behavioral norm, attempts to forecast environmental
changes. Transformational leadership forms an image of vision in future. This study intends
to achieve an excellence paradigm on Transformational leadership by investigating life of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), especially his ethics and management practices in changing
ignorant Arabian society and other communities of his time.
Introduction
Transformational leadership is a well-informed spiritual and ethical process that builds equal
paradigms for power relationships among leaders and followers in order to reach to a
collective aim and a real transformation. Transformational leadership is a process to build
commitment to organizational aims and enable followers to achieve their aims.
Transformational leaders apply optimism, intelligence and many others abilities of a person
to get help for achieving their goals, also to move individuals and organization to a higher
performance(Manning and Curtis, 2003, p.25). Transformational leaders build a dynamic
organizational vision that makes a change in cultural values to reflect more innovation.
Transformational leadership seeks to set a relationship between collective and personal
interest to let the followers to strive to achieve their excellence aims. Divine blessing is
considered as one of the characteristics of Transformational leadership. Divine blessing is
similized to fire that evokes energy and commitment of followers and brings about more
outcomes beyond their duties[2].
Here, it is asked Why Transformational leadership is important to organization?, in response,
refer to following where some points are mentioned.
1- Transformational leadership increases the organization’s performance.
2- Transformational leadership associates to customer satisfaction in long term
3- Transformational leadership increases employees’ commitment
145Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
4- Transformational leadership increases employees’ trust in management and
organizational behavior.
5- Transformational leadership increases employees’ satisfaction on their job and
management practice.
6- Transformational leadership diminishes concerns and increases employees’ welfare.
How is the behavior assumed in Transformational leadership?
1- Having True imagination of the future
2- uses symbols and stories to define message
3- defines purposeful collective action
4- speaks out optimistically, have a trust on achieving its goals
5- attracts employees building on them trust and respect by doing the tasks properly
6- talking on important values and beliefs
7- defines spiritual and ethical outcomes
8- encompasses different facets in problem resolving.
9- It suggests to employees to decide upon their problems using new practices and
removing old and traditional thoughts.
10- It dedicates a time for learning and education
11- It pays a particular attention to employees’ needs, abilities and expectations
12- It encourages employees and pays attention to their positions[3]
Transformational leadership in practice used by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
This study intends to propose a comprehensive paradigm on Transformational leadership
having a look into the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This paradigm includes the
factors below that each is presented in details.
Invitation
Building a team before making efforts in Transformational perspective among members of
company who are advocates of Transformation, brings about a strong cohesion and
association; this not just reduces tendency to resist against change, but also doubles most of
barriers existing in organization[4]. Leader must take step to call and inform his companions
in organization to implement Transformational aims and plans and make them commitment
to Transformational efforts, considering the fact that individuals trusted on whom must be
loyal and reliable, because success of transformation relies on them.
Followed by three years calling Muslims, God sent this verse to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
“tell about Divine punishment to Muslims”. In early, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invited
those from dynasty of Abdul Muhammad PBUH to his house, and informed them about his
mission came from GOD, said them who helps me in Islam to be My brother and my
executor and my caliph?, no one said nothing except Ali (PBUH) who was the youngest in
the group. Ali, said, I would help you, and this repeated for three times in choosing a brother
and executor and caliph, thereby Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, Ali is My brother and my
executor and my caliph, so listen to him and obey him.
Followed by invitation, Command of Revelation prevailed ”reveal what we asked for and
avoid Pagans that we would remove you from all evil mockery ”. Thereby, followed by this
command, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made his mission and invitation to Islam clear for
everyone.
146Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
Organizational leaders followed by Notification for the message of transformation and
change in a strong alliance from their organizational companions, transmit the message for
transformation to all the organizations.
Build commitment in followers
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a particular dedication on educating Muslims such that he
could form a reliable human group to form civilization process; on one hand the individuals
in group were considered as message of Revelation in creation and on the other hand they
were pillars of forming Prophetic Medina. Human pillars are required transmitting the
message of revelation. Further, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) formed groups of men in Mecca
and got them ready. A group was companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and a group
was formed in Yathrib by message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before Migration of the
Prophet. Hence, Prophetic civilization process started by expanding believers, and this
process shown by Knowledge, belief, honesty and endeavor, and day by day Competent,
brave, faithful, strong managers with a full understanding entered to Medina[5].
Depict a clear and explicit vision
Leaders address drawing attention to determine their way and codify strategies required for
moving in this way [6]. Vision means a clear image of future under excellent and
unbelievable circumstances that people follow it. Since this attitude addresses human’s
expectation, leads to awakening human’s abilities, obliging him to act differently [7].
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) depicted clear and explicit visions for his followers concerning
divine blessings and the day after life and describing crusaders in the path of Allah and the
martyrs and the blessings of Heaven, and addressed this issue that final success comes to
realize by believers.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), says, Heaven is built from silver and gold adobes, stones there
are diamonds and smells great (Nahj Alfsahh, 1327 AH). Anyone adheres to heaven,
proceeds to do tasks properly (Bharalanvar , Volume 77, Page 96. ).
Imam Ali, says, definitely Jihad is one of the doors of Paradise that God has opened it for its
patrons (Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 27).
Consultation
However, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his successors were pure and perfect men, and
also not required to Consultation, anyhow they used to pursue Consultation: they reminded
the Muslims of Consultation and built and empowered this feeling in different Islamic
societies, further, they instructed Muslims how to act based on this practice and enjoy its
effects. Thereby, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sustained on this divine tradition and founded
life based on Consultation.
Allameh Tabatabaii says Consultation has been appeared as a fundamental feature among
believers so that they refer to elites to acquire correct thinking and comprehensive view, and
choose the best views and obey them with retrospect to all views, considering the fact that
how to achieve the best way in each arena is the access to consultation [8].
The most distinctive consultation practice owned by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can be the
battle of Badr that prophet consulted with his companions to determine the place for battle
and where to keep captives, stated, speak out your opines.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in The Battle of Uhud consulted with his companions whether
Army of Islam settles in Medina or not, mentioned that although he disagreed, yet accepted
opinions of his companions. The same went for battle of Khandaq, that is, Prophet founded
consultation meeting.
147Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says anyone asked for Consultation, and his advice not to be
pure and distracting others, God would take his power of wisdom. Prophet added that nothing
acts better than consultation that you would take caution as referred to consultation.
The rule of law and justice
Followed by Propagation of Islam and establishment of Medina and the pious and righteous
society, Government of the Prophet aimed to setting Islamic rules and regulations. He
applied all his power to perform these rules by setting the best life rules, considering the
fact that His judgment and order were grounded on revelation.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as ordered by God has undertaken to set rules based on rules
for criminal, public and private rights. Quran came to prophet who affirms all the previous
books and support them. Thereby, as ordered by God Prophet Muhammad obliged to obey
rules in Quran and not refrain from divine rules.
Believed in rule of law as fundamental need of human to govern rule in society, the
government aims to adapt everything with rules, said, aim of personal, social and political
rights are the aim of government, and aiming at establishing government by Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) lies on adapting and performing rule of law. Further, Imam Ali knows
the main aim of government performing rule of law, says, battle was not aimed to achieve
power and rule and wealth, but aimed to return the signs of right and religion to the place
they have to be, and protect oppressed servants to live in secure and perform all the rules
went on neglect. On the whole, Prophet Muhammad’s Islamic government aims to stabilize
rule, perform it and build rule-orientation culture. Governments constantly asked to build a
moderate society and met all social needs of human regarding justice, yet have not been
able to achieve this important. An interpretation for justice goes beyond the topic of this
study and totally out of scope. Yet, a great Islamic scholar says about justice: justice is
observing moderation in all deeds and actions such that not to be neglected or exceeded; To
understand justice, seen that it is centered at recognizing effect of any deed and action on
soul, yet recognizing how much deeds affect soul is not possible for man, and only god
knows how human evolves and how actions and deeds of humans affect his soul. Hence,
God sets general rules and conditions to education human how to take step in this path.
Hence, God knows what has positive effect on human’s soul and what negative effect, and
just God knows that humans’ social justice and perfectionism can be possible with respect
to rules. Set God’s Rules and Regulations to implement justice in society is a duty for which
prophet establish government. As referred to Quran, prophets sent to you for clear reasons
and each had their own book to call upon them to justice, further iron sent down to people
in which the strong force and the benefits for the people can be found. Prophet has been
undertaken to set justice and fairness among people, stated, when judging among people,
apply justice and fairness, as God ordered you to justice. In view of Prophet and Quran,
Measure of human virtue and excellence relies on virtue and adherence of him to the divine
law, that setting justice in its correct meaning comes to realize by justice-orientation.
Prophet as ordered by God made a huge effort for 23 years to set justice in Islamic country
in complete, so that saying all the people are equal in Islamic society and yellow, black and
white is not superior to Red and religious privileges enjoyed their rights.
Patience
Patience is the leading characteristic required for a successful manager to resolve problems.
Manager must be like a sea in which organisms moving, yet its appearance shows a straight
148Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
surface With awesome always and in case some black pieces come on surface, waves would
remove them by overlapping, thereby sea can return to its tranquility. Patience must be
together with knowledge and wisdom, and lack of being well-informed of environmental
changes and future will fail to have patience, concerning that knowledge and Patience have
been remembered both in Hadiths by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Nothing more valuable
than patience has been remembered to date. Patience is achieved in case being under
pressure, and knowledge and wisdom can be also achieved by experience, concluding these
two elements Patience and wisdom are remembered in Quran and most Hadiths, and Imam
Ali said, human can be powered with presidency and monarch by patience and tolerating
hardships.
Bailment
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Before and after the dawn of Islam was known with "trustee”
among all, stated, given back Trusteeship to its owner, even righteous or guilty, is obligatory.
Reliance
The one who desires for being the strongest must rely on God. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
saw a group who were wandering around, asked them what are you doing here?, replied we
have relied on God, prophet said, you have not relied yet you are rovers. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said to the Arab who left his camel and relied on God, close your camel’s feet and
then rely on God; Imam Ali says Oriflamme rooted I reliance on God. Anyone who relies on
God, difficulties becomes facilitated for him.
One of the common characteristics in Saints of God mentioned trust on God and also reliance
on him. Some have forgotten everything, saying we have relied on God, yet this is totally
wrong because it can get the outcome from God by means of others. Human has to trust on
God and ask means as ordered, that is, trust on right and rely on God. Reliance does not mean
put your job and business aside, but means human must always considers divine blessings
and asks God for fruitful outcomes by his efforts. Reliance can change human and affect all
human’s deeds. Relied on God, human will feel tranquil for all his problems, and will not be
afraid of any problem.
Hegira
The reason for collapse of societies, cultures and religions over the history lies on lack of
their movements and/or their successors’ movements. Any society enclosed inside itself even
with specific culture, knowledge and religion, might face collapse and decline. Progress and
civilization in developed countries mainly lies on movement there. Medieval Europe enclosed
for one thousand year in itself, that little progress was not seen in Medieval Europe those
years[9]. Hegira of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is remembered as a Turning Point in
history of Islam emerged a new revolution for expanding mission of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), and mentioned as a proper means to evolve Divine Movement and stabilize Islamic
government. Further, Imam Ali says, name of Prophet Muhammad was culminated by his
Hegira to Medina, and His monotheistic Voices reverberate around the world[10]. Followers
of Prophet Muhammad influenced of all educations by him left their bad habits and migrated
from all their Egoistical attachments to God, stated, a real immigrant is the one who keeps
distance from his bad habits, and moves towards good deeds. Muslims in the developed
countries not just in their mental thoughts but also in their souls sustained far away from the
negative beliefs, and stepped in the way for Muslims, and sustained away from most material
149Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
belongings by Hegira from Mecca [11]. Leaders within organizations using an organizational
Hegira mechanism for success must migrate from a culture to another culture or from a
market to another market, and leaders must provide infrastructure for organizational Hegira
after the aims examined, that this requires for more studies by researchers.
Conclusion
A study on ethical and social dimensions of religious and academic scholars during the
history has paved the way for most of the problems existing in humans’ life, and given that
there exists a variety of models for leadership, the best leadership practice can be seen in
Prophet Muhammad’s life, where this study takes step to propose a transformational
leadership model based on Prophet Muhammad’s leadership practice, with retrospect to
dimensions of ethical and managerial practices governing on his life. This model can be used
by managers and leaders who intend to bring about change in their society and organizations,
and this study can be beneficial for students and scholars who intend to carry out study in this
context.
Model of transformational leadership based on life of Prophet Muhammad (PBU)
Invite relatives and Invitation
companions
Reunion by committed Commitment in followers
people with position and Model of transformational
power within organization leadership and leadership
Depict clear and explicit requirements
Clear depiction of vision
organizational aims and build
relevancy between personal
and organizational aims
Apply consultations Consultation
Same the rule of law and Rule of law and justice
justice on all the members of
organization
Patience to resist against Patience
failures to reach ultimate aim
Protect people’s and Trust
organization’s secrets and
built personal security
Reliance
Believe in companion
Enter to new markets and Hegira
new culture
References
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study of the leadership styles of Imam Ali (AS) using leadership styles written by Ahmad
Ebrahimi
2-Tadbir Journal - eighteenth year- Article 181: transformational leadership in organizations:
an effective model, Translator: William Acar and William Brown, Translator: Samad Matlabi
Asl
150Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review Vol. 3, No.11a; July. 2014
3- leadership theories, Mohammad Hossein Asadi, knowledge management database
4-Behnam Tabrizi, translator Mohammed Delasa, , Amir Abbas Masomi, p 48
5-Areas Journal, April, May, June and July ,2007, No 139 -140
Critiques of civilization / (expression and opinion of leader on the life of Prophet)
6- Strategic change management in theory and practice. John Hay, trans- Asad Ullah Naeich
Saba sarmady, p181
7-Positive transformational leadership, Kim S. Cameron, David. Waton, Trans Mehdi
IranNejad, P.60
8-Kosar Culture Magazine, 1998, no 24, consultation in practice by the Prophet (PBUH)
9- Mobaleghan Journal, 2002, No. 31, the agent of change and progress
10- Journal Kosar culture. 2003, No. 49, learn from prophetic Hegira: Abdulkarim pak Nia
11- internet database notification area (www. Rasoolnoor.com)
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