Controlled

There’s a reason why our Prophet was called “Al-Ameen” prior to becoming a Prophet. As a Prophet, besides his “nubuwwah” (Prophethood), Prophet Muhammaf P.B.U.H (Peace Be Upon Him) played the role of the leader of his ummah. His successor, Abu Bakar, had a really heavy task in filling the Prophet’s shoes. This is because the Prophet led the ummah by leading them with two combined roles: as a leader, and a Prophet. Any human –especially Abu Bakar- could play the role of a leader. But leading the ummah without the nubuwwah, was a major task to be faced with by any human being, especially the one who carried on the Prophet’s footstep (khalifah ar-Rasulillah).

 

Leaders, in order for them to lead, they need to implement “control.” We have to admit, even to those who fanatically support the “freedom of speech” way, you have to admit that there are times where people need to be “controlled.” For instance, during the solah. People are controlled by the imam: there’s no such thing as “freedom of speech” during the solah, for example. No wonder, certain leaders, may it be political leaders or NGO leaders or company leaders or dakwah leaders, they always implement certain amount of autocracy towards their followers, in order for the followers to be “controlled.”

 

The problem is, if you put some sort of separation in the word “controlled”, you will end up with 2 words: control, and led.

 

Dearest friends,

We agree that among the traits of leadership, if the ability to implement “control.” Without control, we cannot gain stability in our society. For instance, a class monitor without the control power, cannot maintain peace inside his class, especially during hours without a teacher present. Yet, for his peers to follow and obey him, he (the class monitor) need some sort fo respect from them, which often we refer to as “charisma” inside a leader. And with this charisma, a leader can gain control, as his followers are often “led” by his words, his actions, his charisma. And the word “led”, should indicate an action of “lead by example.”

 

That is why, being called “Al-Ameen” by his society, due to his strong leadership and charisma, has help the Prophet to implement “control” inside the ummah. Never the less, he was always open to his companions to voice out their opinions, in the case that was not led by the wahyu.

 

That’s why, trying to make your followers being controlled by all your directions, your command, your order, without letting them being “led” by you first, is not an action that is thought in Islam. You cannot expect people to taat or tsiqah with yourself, when they cannot find a reasonable reason for them to do so. People, often get happy when working under a capable leader, which is what Prophet Muhammad was in the eyes of his followers. Never the less, he was still open and never stop his companions from voicing out there opinions.

 

But a leader who realizes his weaknesses, or is to arrogant to notice it, shall always force control to his followers. He ends up as a “dictator”, and some even mis-using the word tsiqah and taat for his own benefit. That is why, taksub in Islam is prohibited. The Prophet is always the best example for us all.

 

So, before hoping (or forcing) people to be “controlled” by your every thought, kindly remember that people can be controlled when you can really implement 2 things: control, and led. So, lead by example. Be an example. Led.