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Lecture 2
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Classical theories and

Islamic perspective on
Leadership
 Machiavellianism by Niccolo
Machiavelli
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Niccol di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (3 May 1469 21 June
1527) was an Italian historian, politician, diplomat,
philosopher, humanist and writer based in Florence during
the Renaissance.
He was for many years an official in the Florentine Republic,
with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs.
He was a founder of modern political science, and more
specifically political ethics. He also wrote comedies, carnival
songs, and poetry.
He was Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of
Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of
power.
He wrote his masterpiece, The Prince, after the Medici had
recovered power and he no longer held a position of
responsibility in Florence.
His moral and ethical beliefs led to the creation of the word
machiavellianism which has since been used to describe one
of the three dark triad personalities in psychology
 The Prince by Niccolo Macchiavelli
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The Prince was published in 1532. It

was a book about how a leader
should strengthen his/her power.
It is a guideline to develop an ideal
leader, freedom of the society,
control of the government and free
from rebellion and external attack.
The main principle of The Prince is
end is better than means.
 EXCERPTS FROM THE PRINCE
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The stability and security of a government depends on how

the leader use his/her power. The purpose of having power is
not for the benefits or interest of the leader him/herself but
for the benefits/interest of the people.
In a government system for a conquered state, a leader can
choose to:
a. Live in the conquered state.
b. Build colonies in the state.
c. Establish diplomatic relationship with the neighboring
states.
d. Weaken the power of the strong neighboring states.
 Continue
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For a small state governed by a prince or a young

ruler, he must use violence and compel power so
that he will be respected for his arrogance and
fierceness. This is needed for a new political order.
Unpopular decision
The troops for a strong state must be recruited
from its own people and not mercenaries (soldiers
paid to fight in a foreign army). Mercenaries are
considered dangerous and useless.
Ethical values, whether good or bad, is relative
and for the interest of a leaders power, it should
be flexible depending on the changes in the
political situation.
 Continue
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Violence must be considered as a weapon to unite the

people and to maintain the loyalty and obedience of
the people to the leader and its nation.
Machiavelli differentiate between internal personality
and external personality. Although internal personality
need to be violence and cruel to the people but the
external personality which can be seen by the people
must be merciful and compassionate to get the support
from the people. So, a leader must entertain the
people and give them freedom to involve in arts,
business, agriculture, etc., so that they will give full
support to him.
 Conclusion of Machiavellianism
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As a conclusion, according to Machiavelli, to

strengthen a government of a country, the leader
must use what ever way to sustain his power (end is
better than means).
His ideas was followed by many of the autocratic
leaders such as Hitler, Otto Von Bismarck,
Napoleon, etc.
 Sun Tzu Arts of War
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An ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher
who is traditionally believed to be the author of The Art of War,
an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy.
The legend goes that Sun Tzu was born into minor nobility in what
is now Shandong, a part of China north of Shanghai that became
famous for Confucius and the really tasty Shandong Chicken.
Born "Sun Wu", he was given a good education and like
Machiavelli, he wrote a military treatise in order to get noticed
and hired by royalty.
Sun Wu expanded his 13 chapter Art of War into 82 chapters
and trained the army. Eventually he broke the peace by invading
the southern state of Yue.
Other conflicts ensured but although his troops were once
outnumbered 30,000 to 200,000 he was always victorious. Many
successes followed and continued after his death.
Finally though, the kingdom was defeated several years after his
reported death.
Just over 100 years later his descendant, Sun Bing, lead troops to
victory again and wrote his own treatise.
 Lessons from Sun Tzu Arts of War
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Chapter 1: Laying Plans/The Calculations explores the five fundamental

factors that define a successful outcome (the way, seasons, terrain,
leadership, and management). By thinking, assessing and comparing these
points you can calculate a victory, deviation from them will ensure failure.
Remember that war is a very grave matter of state.

Chapter 2: Waging War/The Challenge explains how to understand the

economy of war and how success requires making the winning play, which
in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict.
Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem/The Plan of Attack defines the source of
strength as unity, not size, and the five ingredients that you need to succeed
in any war.

Continue.
 Lessons from Sun Tzu Arts of War (2)
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Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions/Positioning explains the importance of
defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must
recognize opportunities, not try to create them.
Chapter 5: Energy/Directing explains the use of creativity and timing in
building your momentum.
Chapter 6: Weak Points & Strong/Illusion and Reality explains how your
opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the
relative weakness of your enemy in a given area.
Chapter 7: Maneuvering/Engaging The Force explains the dangers of
direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced
upon you.
Chapter 8: Variation in Tactics/The Nine Variations focuses on the need for
flexibility in your responses. It explains how to respond to shifting
circumstances successfully. Continue.
 Lessons from Sun Tzu Arts of War (3)
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Chapter 9: The Army on the March/Moving The Force describes the different situations
in which you find yourselves as you move into new enemy territories and how to respond
to them. Much of it focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.
Chapter 10: Terrain/Situational Positioning looks at the three general areas of
resistance (distance, dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that
arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and
disadvantages.
Chapter 11: The Nine Situations describe nine common situations (or stages) in a
campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus you need to successfully
navigate each of them.
Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire/Fiery Attack explains the use of weapons generally and
the use of the environment as a weapon specifically. It examines the five targets for
attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such
attack.
Chapter 13: The Use of Spies/The Use of Intelligence focuses on the importance of
developing good information sources, specifically the five types of sources and how to
manage them.
Refer: www.sonshi.com/sun2 for details of chapters.
 ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP
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 PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP
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What is Islamic Leadership?

A person or a group that will lead humanity from the
brink of destruction to the way of Allah the Almighty.
A leader in Islam is called caliph
Uli al- Amr or Imam.
Mafhum Alhadith
All of you are leaders and you will be questioned of
your leadership.
 Importance of Islamic Leadership
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Importance of leadership is like the engine of a

train. The train doesn't move anywhere without the
engine moving.
Islamic leadership can solve the problems of
humanity through AlQuran and Assunnah.
 Difference between Islamic and
Secular Leadership
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Secular leadership's target is self-establishment.

Islamic Leadership's target is Jannatul Firdaws
(Highest position in Paradise)
Secular leaderships work for the respect of people.
Islamic Leaderships work for the pleasure of Allah.
 A Leader Is An Ideal Worker
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Primary assets of an Ideal worker:

I'lm (Knowledge):

al-Qur'an, al-Hadith, Islamic Literature

Iman (Faith):
Taqwa (consciousness of Allah)
A'mal (Deeds):
Pray with khushoo (humility), night prayers,
remembrance of Allah, du'a (supplication), infaaq
(spending in the way of Allah), voluntary fasting, etc.
 Basic Qualities Of An Ideal Worker
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Courageous (brave in a true ways)

Sincere (ikhlaas)
Humane
Organized
Determined
Hard-working
Punctual
Good conduct
Good habit
Good in lecture and writing
 Basic Qualities of Islamic Leadership
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Ability to command with respect

Trusted on sincerity of purpose
Confidence on ability
Approachable for suggestion
Acceptability as a leader
Ready to sacrifice
Open-minded
Understanding of responsibilities
Optimism
 Leadership of KhulafaurRashidin
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Leadership based on Musyawarah

Hold fast to trust
Practice the concept of Open leadership
Uphold the rule of law
Prevent themselves from being fanatism
Spirit of democracy
 Leadership Based On Musyawarah
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Members (ahli syura) must be given the rights to

give ideas and suggestions in musyawarah.
Leaders make decision in Musyawarah with their
subordinates.
 Hold Fast To Trust
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Khalifahurrrashidin hold fast on trust especially for

matters related to finance.
Baitulmal or government fund is Allah and the
peoples trust to them.
Their responsibility is to give the funding for those
who deserve and have the rights in the right way.
They prohibit the use of the government funding for
their own self interest.
 Practice The Concept Of Open
Leadership
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The leaders of Islam are open to be criticized of

their leadership.
Sayyidina Abu Bakar Assiddik (r.a.), the first
Khalifahurrashidin informed the Muslimin in his
khutbah that if he did any thing right please help
him but if he did any thing wrong please advise
and correct him.
 Uphold The Rule Of Law
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Khulafahurrashidin didnt put themselves above the

law.
They and their families werent been given any
special exception from the law.
They were being treated the same as the other
people under the Islamic law.
 Prevent Themselves From Being
Fanatism
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They didnt discriminate the people related to races

and social background.
There were no special treatment or facilities given
to them or their families.
 Spirit Of Democracy
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They practice democracy in terms of electing and

appointing the leaders.
They had meetings before making any decisions
and always give freedom of speech to their
subordinates to give ideas.
They put the peoples interests on top of their own.
Only this will create harmony and peace in the
country.
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THANK YOU