In politics, this hadith is often quoted as a bullet to weaponize against leaders and to provoke other people into hating certain leadership figures. But if all we do is use this hadith expose others’ faults without taking any real responsibility to reflect and implement this in our own lives, we have lost the plot, and miss the point of the teachings of sunnah altogether.
The point of the hadith - in fact, any teaching of the Prophet ﷺ is for us to implement and put into action in our own lives. Not as a tool to blame others or expose their faults. If we have a healthy heart, then reading this hadith from the paradigm of a mu’min (believer) should trigger us to ask the question: “How can I be the best of leaders? How can I ensure that I prevent myself from becoming the worst of leaders?”
Therefore, the REAL questions we should be asking ourselves should first revolve around what is WITHIN our control: Do I love those under my responsibilities? Do I make du’aa for them? Or am I behaving like an entitled leader who’s just sitting around playing victim because THEY don’t love me or supplicate for me?
On the other hand, am I just complaining and cursing them for their incompetence, lack of respect? Then I have fulfilled “my side” of the “worst leaders” character. And perhaps only a matter of time that they will reciprocate
This hadith talks about a leadership quality which is rarely ever talked about, especially in the world of corporate leadership: Love. People often talk about “loving their leader”, but few ever emphasize the importance of the leader first leading through example by loving their subjects first.
In practice, what does it mean for leaders to love their subjects? For one, leaders don’t merely view their subordinates or subjects as tools or lifeless pawns to be used to advance their goals, whether corporate or personal agendas.
Love implies that leaders genuinely respect and care about the well-being, development, welfare, and growth. And they demonstrates that care through their actions.
Love implies that they behave with empathy and compassion, and in their ambition to advance their organizational cause, they consciously make careful, deliberate decisions with those considerations at heart, with a commitment to endure hardship and inconveniences, including making the occasional unpopular decision that would benefit their people in the long run.
“Oh, but this sounds so fluffy duffy stuff. How are we supposed to get stuff DONE, if all we’re concerned about being lovey dovey? As leaders, once in a while we need to be tough also”.
Consider the perspective of of the love that we parents have for our children. There are moments where we need to be firm and strict - sometimes against their wishes, convenience and comfort. But for the sincere parent, the foundational intention remains: we don’t act out of revenge or personal glory. We do so out of love. A desire for what’s ultimately best for them and the family. Beyond the convenience that they see right now.
In an Article published by Forbes, writer Tamiko Cuellar lists down eight ways to show Love to your Staff:
1. Show Appreciation
2. Offer encouragement
3. Be understanding and flexible when possible, but have firm boundaries
4. Have a listening ear
5. Keep the lines of communication open.
6. Train rather than criticize.
7. Offer support in times of overwhelm.
8. Ask how they are doing, and really mean it
(End quote)
How would you feel about your leader if he or she behaved in this manner? Wouldn’t this, too, inspire love towards their leader?
On top of love, a true righteous leader goes one step further as a demonstration of that Love: supplicating and making du’aa for their well-being. Wow. How about that.
In reality, of course, it’s not as easy in practice. Just because a leader shows love, doesn’t necessarily mean the love will be reciprocated or appreciated, especially in a capitalistic, self-centred environment or work culture. You might be ignored or criticized, even by others. Perhaps by your own subordinates.
And it’s within these moments that test the sincerity of our leadership: What is MY response if I am tested with their stubbornness or refusal to listen to me? What if my children fail to appreciate my love and care for them?
How would we feel if our subordinates or family members accuse us of being “a terrible father”? Or a “lousy boss”?
Will we STILL love them and supplicate for them? Or will we slip into victim mode and curse them, and therefore strip ourselves away from the characteristics of the “best of leaders” - and inch closer towards being the worst? Will we put aside our personal emotions, endure the pain, and stick to our values?
It is in these moments that your leadership sincerity is tested, my friend.
To Love in leadership is easier said than done. But that is the standard we must aspire to achieve.
“The best of your rulers are those whom you love, and those who love you; they pray for Allah’s blessings upon you and you pray for His blessings for them.
And the worst of your rulers are those whom you hate, and those who hate you, those whom you curse and who curse you.” (Muslim)
May Allah grant us the strength and patience to make us among the best of leaders, and grant us leaders who love us, whom we love too.
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