“It is out of God’s mercy that you have been lenient with them.
Had you been rough, hard-hearted, they would surely have scattered away from
you. So pardon them, and pray for their forgiveness, and take counsel from
them in matters of importance. And when you are resolved on a course of
action, place your trust in God; surely God loves those who put their trust (in
Him). If God helps you none shall prevail over you; if He forsakes you then
who can help you? It is in God that the believers should put their trust.”
(Quran 3:159-160)
Chapter 3, The Family of
Imran, is a 200-verse chapter revealed in Medina. The chapters revealed in
Medina were primarily concerned with building a strong, stable Muslim community.
It is concerned with choice; the choice between right and wrong, and the
concept of Muslims being chosen to bear great responsibility. Earlier in the
chapter, which consists of four main discourses, the Muslims were taught how to
deal with victory and just before these two essential verses the Muslims were
taught, as a consequence of the Battle of Uhud, how to deal with loss.
In this part of chapter 3 we read commentary on the
Battle of Uhud including how events developed prior to and during the battle. Verse
159 is addressed to Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be
upon him, and some scholars have suggested that this verse alone is a mini-seminar
on the qualities of leadership. As we know the Battle of Uhud had a
disappointing outcome. It was a defeat coming soon after a major victory. After
consulting his companions Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims found themselves in
a situation they were not expecting and were not prepared for.
Even after being given explicit instructions the
companions made unwise decisions culminating in the defeat of the Muslims. Many
of them abandoned their positions and others fled the battle scene. Even when
their leader was calling to them, many in their shock and distress, refused to
even turn around let alone turn back. In this situation you would expect that Prophet
Muhammad would not be lenient. He would have been disappointed and ready to
take them to task over their behavior. However this was not to be the case.
Before Prophet Muhammad had a chance to gather his men
and his thoughts, and as he was preparing to address his men God indicated that
He needed to address Prophet Muhammad first. Verse 159 discusses the result of
God’s address to Prophet Muhammad. It was because of God’s incredible mercy
that Prophet Muhammad was lenient towards his men. He was not angry and did
not make them feel bad about their monumental mistakes, instead he followed
God’s instructions and spoke to them with gentleness.
This is the same gentleness that Prophet Moses was
instructed to use with Pharaoh. This type of mildness and mercy is a special
favour from God. When Prophet Muhammad was not angry it was a representation
of God’s mercy; he was merciful in God’s name. God tells Prophet Muhammad that
if he had dealt with them angrily they would have turned away. It would have
been in such a definitive way that they may not have ever come back. This is
an example of one of the most important qualities of leadership, mercy. It is
mercy that holds a group together especially in a critical situation.
Prophet Muhammad was asked not only to deal with his men
gently but to pardon them; and then to ask God for their forgiveness, following
that up with consulting them on matters of importance. This is certainly not
the way we would expect a leader to deal with his men after having gone through
this harrowing ordeal. The reality is that Prophet Muhammad does not need to
consult with his companions. His message and his life are directed by God. However
another good leadership skill is to make your followers feel needed and
included. When he consults them in decision-making and really listens to their
opinions they begin to feel as if they are a necessary part of a team.
After the Battle of Uhud the Muslims felt as if they had
let their leader down. Many were ashamed and others felt that because they had
disappointed Prophet Muhammad he would now be distant from them and they could
never really atone for their behavior. God advised Prophet Muhammad that
forgiving them and consulting them would remove these feelings from their
hearts. This sort of behaviour establishes the principles of good manners,
high morals, forgiveness and generosity.
Lastly we learn that after all the consultation and
discussion a good leader will make a decision. The decision will be decided
upon but ultimately the success or failure will be in the hands of God. He is
the one who decides all matters. Thus as believers we must make our decisions
and follow through on them to the best of our ability while putting our trust
in God. Turning back and changing our minds are neither good leadership skills
nor are they good life skills. God loves those who put their trust in Him. And
in verse 160 God extrapolates on this when He says that with His help nothing
can overcome a believer but without His Help there is nothing that can help a
believer.
The person who understands this has grasped the central principle
of divine destiny. All matters begin with God and everything will return to
Him. It is His will that determines all events. If God gives you victory no
one can overcome you but if He abandons you there is nothing that can help you.
The defeat at Uhud taught the believers a big lesson in life. Victory comes
only from God. Relying on God and trusting Him completely is a distinctive
quality of a believer. A Muslim does not seek anything from any source other
than God. He relies totally on God to bring about the best results according
to His knowledge and wisdom.