Project report: Leadership

Submitted by: Maria

Mushtaque
Submitted to: Dr. Zahra
Nazim
Course: Organizational
behavior and Leadership
Institute Of business and
health management.
Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A)
Introduction:
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) is considered one of the greatest leaders in
Islamic history. Umar (RA) is universally acknowledged as the first
conqueror, founder and administrator of the Muslim Empire. He was
known as Al-Farooq ("distinguisher between right and wrong"). In the
case of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), it can be said that he was born with
certain qualities that made him a leader and that he developed other
important leadership qualities through his experience and learning.
➢ He was the Second Caliph of Muslims. His rule was one of the few
moments in the history of Islam where Muslims were united as a single
community. He Ruled for about 10 years which included Syria, Egypt,
Iraq, Persia, Kurdistan, Amenia, Azerbaijan, Kerman and Mekran.
➢ Among the Quraish of those days, reading and writing was not in
vogue. In spite of that Umar(R.A) received education in reading and
writing. It is related that among the Quraish of Mecca only seventeen
persons could read and write, and Umar was one of them. That has to
be acknowledged as a great attainment.

The leadership traits of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) are:

General personality traits:

Self Confidence:
When the Holy Prophet decided that the Muslims should migrate from Mecca
to Madina. The Muslims were required to proceed to Madina in batches.
While most of the other Muslims left Mecca in secret, Umar publicly
declared that he was proceeding to Madina. He even challenged the Quraish
that if any one of them had the courage to stop him from going to Madina, he
was welcome to try his strength with him. No Quraish of Mecca could have
the courage to prevent the migration of Umar, and no one accepted the
challenge to measure strength with him.
Humility:
Despite his position of power and authority, Hazrat Umar (RA) remained
humble and down-to-earth. He was always willing to listen to the opinions of
others and to seek advice when needed.
One night Umar (RA) came upon children who were crying and when he
told the mother she should feed her children, she explained that they hadn't
eaten for days and she was pretending to make soup out of stones and water.
Not recognizing Umar, she said, "may Allah hold Umar (RA) accountable
[because he is Amir-ul-Mu'mineen]". So, Umar (RA)ran back and gathered
provisions and carried them on his back to the woman and then cooked them
a meal. At this, the woman exclaimed, "you should be Amir ul-Mu'mineen!".
Even then, Umar did not reveal his identity to her and simply requested to sit
at a distance to watch the children laughing from contentment.

Trustworthiness:
➢ Trust is defined as a person’s confidence in another individual’s
intentions and motives and in the sincerity of that individual’s word.
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for
his outstanding trustworthiness and integrity. He was always truthful in
his words and actions, and he never wavered from his principles.There
are numerous incidents from his life that illustrate his trustworthiness.
For example, when he was the Caliph of the Muslim world, he would
regularly patrol the streets of Medina at night to ensure the safety of the
people.
➢ Hazrat Umar (RA) was also known for his financial honesty. As the
Caliph of the Islamic Empire, he was responsible for managing the
finances of the state. He was extremely careful with the public funds,
and he would not tolerate any misuse or embezzlement of public funds
by anyone, including his own family members.
Emotional stability:
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) is known for his remarkable emotional
stability, which was an important aspect of his leadership style. He was
a man of great emotional intelligence, which allowed him to manage
his own emotions as well as those of others around him.
➢ Hazrat Umar (RA) showed emotional stability when he was informed
of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) passing. Although he
was deeply affected by the news, he did not lose his composure and
was able to take charge of the situation and lead the Muslims through
this difficult time.
➢ One example of Hazrat Umar's emotional stability is the incident where
he was stabbed multiple times by a Persian slave. Despite the severity
of his injuries, Hazrat Umar (RA) remained calm and collected and
gave instructions to his companions on how to proceed with the affairs
of the state in his absence.
➢ Hazrat Umar's emotional stability was also evident in his decision-
making process. He was known to be a very rational and logical
thinker, and he did not allow his emotions to cloud his judgment. He
would carefully consider all the relevant facts before making a
decision, and he was not swayed by personal biases or emotions.

Locus of control:
Locus of control refers to an individual's belief about the extent to which they
can control the events that affect their lives. Overall, Hazrat Umar Farooq
(RA) had a balanced approach to the issue of locus of control. He recognized
the importance of personal responsibility and accountability, while also
emphasizing the importance of relying on Allah and trusting in His plan.
Assertiveness:
➢ He was not afraid to make difficult decisions, and he was known for his
ability to enforce the laws and regulations of the Islamic state. Hazrat
Umar (RA) was known for his strict enforcement of the Zakat
(obligatory charity) laws. He established a system for collecting and
distributing Zakat funds, and he made sure that the funds were being
used appropriately to support the poor and needy in the community.
➢ One example of Hazrat Umar's assertiveness is the way he dealt with
the issue of alcohol consumption in the early Muslim community.
While alcohol was not explicitly forbidden in the early years of Islam,
Hazrat Umar (RA) recognized the negative impact that it was having on
the community and decided to ban it altogether. Despite facing
resistance from some members of the community, Hazrat Umar (RA)
stood firm in his decision and successfully enforced the ban.

Enthusiasm, optimism and warmth:

➢ Despite the challenges and difficulties that he faced, he always
maintained a positive outlook and was able to inspire those around him
with his optimism and warmth. His enthusiasm for the cause of Islam
was contagious, and it inspired many Muslims to join in the effort to
spread the religion.
➢ Hazrat Umar's optimism was also evident in the way he dealt with
difficult situations. When faced with adversity, he remained positive
and focused on finding solutions to the problem. For example, when a
severe drought struck the Muslim community, Hazrat Umar (RA)
organized relief efforts and encouraged people to remain patient and
optimistic, trusting that Allah would provide for them.
➢ He had a deep concern for the welfare of others, and he went out of his
way to help those in need. He was also known for his humility and
approachability, which made him a beloved figure among the Muslim
community.
Extraversion:
He was a social person in the sense that he had a large circle of companions
and was known for his approachability and accessibility. He would frequently
hold public meetings in the mosque, where people could come to him with
their problems and concerns. He was open to hearing from all members of the
community, regardless of their social status or background.

Task related personality traits:

Proactive personality:
➢ As a leader, he was known for his swift and decisive actions, often
taking proactive steps to address potential problems before they could
become major issues.
➢ For example, when he became the caliph, one of his first acts was to
establish a system of stipends for widows and orphans in Medina. He
also established a system of public education, built hospitals and other
public institutions, and implemented various measures to promote
social justice and welfare.

Flexibility and adaptability:

He was able to adjust his approach to different situations and to take into
account the changing circumstances of his time.

Courage:
Hazrat Umar (RA) was a courageous leader, who was not afraid to make
difficult decisions in the interests of his people. For example, he was known
for his strict enforcement of the law, even when it involved punishing
powerful or influential individuals. His willingness to stand up for what he
believed in, even in the face of opposition or danger, has made him a revered
figure among Muslims throughout history.
Passion to serve people:
➢ As a leader, Hazrat Umar (RA) was deeply committed to improving the
lives of his subjects. He worked tirelessly to establish systems and
structures that would ensure that justice was done and that everyone
was treated fairly. He also took a personal interest in the welfare of his
people, and would often visit different parts of his empire to see for
himself the conditions under which people were living.
➢ Hazrat Umar (RA) was also known for his deep love for the people he
served. He was a compassionate leader who was deeply concerned
about the welfare of his subjects, and he went to great lengths to ensure
that they were well taken care of. He would often listen to their
grievances and concerns, and would take steps to address these issues
wherever possible.

Leadership motives:
The power motive: Leaders with a socialized power motive use power
primarily to achieve organizational goals or a vision. In this context, the term
socialized means that the leader uses power primarily to help others.
Hazrat Umar (RA) had a deep sense of responsibility towards his people and
his community, and he saw his role as a leader as a means to serve them,
rather than to achieve personal gain or prestige. He used his power to
promote justice, fairness, and equality, and was deeply committed to the
welfare of his subjects.

Cognitive factors and leadership:

➢ To inspire people, bring about constructive change, and solve problems
creatively, leaders need to be mentally sharp.
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA)’s farsightedness enabled him to anticipate
and plan for the long-term interests of the Muslim community. One
example of Hazrat Umar's (RA) farsightedness can be seen in his
establishment of a public treasury, which allowed for the systematic
collection and management of taxes and revenues. This helped to
 provide a stable source of income for the Muslim community, and
allowed for the development of infrastructure and other public goods
that were essential for the well-being of the community.
➢ His ability to think outside the box and to come up with innovative
solutions to complex problems helped to create a vision for the Muslim
community.

Charismatic personality:
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) had a towering figure and a powerful
charismatic personality that had a considerable influence on Islam and
the emerging Islamic empire.
➢ One of the defining characteristics of Hazrat Umar's (RA) charisma
was his ability to inspire and motivate his followers. He was able to do
this through his powerful and persuasive speeches, which were
delivered with great passion and conviction. He was also able to
connect with people on a personal level, and was known for his warmth
and approachability.
➢ He was able to communicate effectively with people from all walks of
life, including members of his own community, as well as leaders of
other communities and tribes. His communication style was
characterized by clarity, directness, and an ability to convey his ideas in
a way that was both persuasive and inspiring.

➢ Some of his sayings are:

“The criterion of action is that today’s work should not be deferred until the
following day.”
“Earning of livelihood by following some profession is better than living on
charity.”
He who has any public responsibility should perform his duties without
caring [about] criticism.”
 ➢ ‘Umar (r.a) committed himself to the growth of his subordinates; he
established schools in the provinces and paid the workers stipend. He
decreed that an army should not spend beyond a certain period of time
waging war without going back to his family. He told the Syrian people
after the conquest that he did not send the governors to beat them but to
teach them the religion and Sunnah of the Prophet.

➢ He creates vision for his followers by advising them.

● "I advise you to treat the people justly." "Treat all people as equal."
● Taking care to distribute wealth among the people in a just and fair
manner, avoiding anything that could lead to the accumulation of
wealth among one class, to the exclusion of others. "Do not allow
wealth to circulate only among the rich."
● Avoiding selfishness, favoritism and following whims and desires,
because these things pose the danger of the leader being led astray and
leading to corruption in society and the disruption of human relations.
● Respecting the people and being humble towards them, young and old,
because this will lift human relations to a higher level and lead them to
unite behind the leader and love him more. "I urge you by Allah to
show mercy to the Muslims, honor their elderly, show compassion to
their young ones and respect the knowledgeable ones among them."

Transformational Leadership:
He also knew that just having a vision is not enough unless it is supported by
effective strategies. He didn't only have a vision; he truly transformed his
vision into actions. For example, to ensure that nobody sleeps hungry in his
empire, he used to walk through the streets almost every night to see if there
is any one needy or ill.
➢ The Credit for spreading Islam’s glory all over the world goes to Hazrat
Umar (RA). The superpower empires like Iran and Rome were
conquered in such a manner and with such care that great historians
could not offer a single example of oppression.
➢ He organized the system of government. He set up several sections and
administrative departments to run the system of management and
appointed supervisors over all of them. He used to hold them
accountable after their appointments. Many non-Muslims could not live
without praising him on the golden and glorious era of his caliphate.
➢ Hazrat Umar was the first person who appointed judges in the cities. He
not only appointed a judge but also rewarded him with such
instructions that it strengthened his confidence in the judiciary and
there was a way to avoid all kinds of social evils in it.
➢ Hazrat Umar developed education, all the countries would have
established primary schools in the conquered territories, in which the
Qur'an, moral poetry and proverbs of the Arabs would have been
taught. The salaries of teachers were also fixed.
➢ The establishment of peace depends on the police. Hazrat Umar
established a permanent department for it.
➢ When the police department was established, it was a natural
consequence that people would also get punishments. Therefore, a
prison was set up to punish. Prisons were not practiced in Arabia before
the time of Umar’s Leadership.
➢ Hazrat Umar Farooq, has the honor of laying the foundation of the
canal system in the world, increasing food production, developing
agriculture, conserving livestock and arranging safe supply of water for
survival.
➢ Hazrat Umar himself used to Patrol and visited to the houses of the
Muslims to find out their condition and help them with his own hands.