The true measure of Leadership-INFLUENCE????

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Jazakum Allahu Khayr brother Farid.
I think the misunderstanding is that you are thinking about 'righteous' leadership. We are not talking about what makes 'righteous' leadership, we are talking about what makes leadership. There is a difference.

What makes leadership is influence.
What makes BLESSED leadership is much more then influence ... and it is in this second category that I think you speak of.

And Allah knows best

[Muhammad Alshareef]

As well, I think a second mistunderstanding is this:
From what you are saying, it seems like you are saying what 'you' feel should be in first place. And you are correct in your statement.

The misunderstanding is that it is not what 'you' or 'I' think should be in first place, it is what the society (the psychology of the society) puts in first place. We are not saying 'influence' should be in first place, we are reflecting on the nature of men.

Just like a basketball player makes 10 million dollars, but the teacher at public school who guides a child's life makes next to nothing. Who decides this? It is the psychology of the society.

And Allah knows best.

[Muhammad Alshareef]

Thanks again for the clarification. It's a good point and I have no intention of refuting the psychology of the society. But problem arises in two situations
1. When that Hadeeth is used to justify an unjust leadership
2. When that Hadeeth is used as a blank check
Just so you know I don't disagree, let me give you an example of how the principle is used against our Muslim communities.

In Jordan, the kingship is from 'Quraish'. People submit to the leadership with kind of 'well-they-are-from-Quraish-so-they-can't-be-wrong' kind of attitude. And foreign powers who study Islam know this. So they get people like this to keep us quiet and subservient.

That is why the sin of someone in such a position of influence but abusing it is more more serious.

And Allah knows best.
Jazakum Allahu Khayr for sharing your thoughts.