3 minutes read
One of the most beautiful conversations in the Qur'an is the advice Luqman (رحمه الله) gave to his son.
Although it was given to a son, it reads like a leadership manual for every Muslim founder.
Imagine if Luqman (رحمه الله) was mentoring founders today.
Muslim Founder Brief
A daily briefing on Muslim ownership, responsibility, and disciplined building.
Nine Timeless Principles of Leadership
"O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allâh will bring it forth. Verily, Allâh is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place)."(Surah Luqman 31:16)
"O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allâh will bring it forth. Verily, Allâh is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place)."(Surah Luqman 31:16)
Customers may never see the sloppy code, the weak foundations, the shortcuts, or the poor workmanship hidden beneath the surface.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) does.
"O my son! Aqim-as-Salât (perform As-Salât)." (Surah Luqman 31:17)
"O my son! Aqim-as-Salât (perform As-Salât)."(Surah Luqman 31:17)
Your company can survive difficult markets.
Your heart cannot survive abandoning salah.
"...enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'rûf (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good)."(Surah Luqman 31:17)
"...enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'rûf (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good)."(Surah Luqman 31:17)
"...and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar..."(Surah Luqman 31:17)
"...and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar..."(Surah Luqman 31:17)
Never allow your employees to deceive customers, oppress suppliers, mistreat colleagues, or normalize what Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) prohibited.
Leadership includes stopping evil, not merely avoiding it yourself.
"And bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allâh with no exemption)."
(Surah Luqman 31:17)
"And bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allâh with no exemption)."
(Surah Luqman 31:17)
Lost customers.
Failed products.
Rejected proposals.
Delayed rizq.
Patience is part of building.
"And turn not your face away from men with pride."(Surah Luqman 31:18)
"And turn not your face away from men with pride."(Surah Luqman 31:18)
Success should make you more humble, not less approachable.
Treat the intern and the investor with the same dignity.
"Nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster."(Surah Luqman 31:18)
"Nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster."(Surah Luqman 31:18)
Do not build a personal brand around arrogance, luxury, followers, titles, or achievements.
Everything you have came from Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).
"And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking."(Surah Luqman 31:19)
"And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking."(Surah Luqman 31:19)
Carry yourself with calmness, confidence, and dignity.
Not with ego.
Not with theatrics.
Not with the need to impress everyone around you.
"And lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the donkey."(Surah Luqman 31:19)
"And lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the donkey."(Surah Luqman 31:19)
Do not let your company become a company of shouting.
People should respect your leadership because of your character, not because they fear your anger.
A Leadership Manual That Never Ages
More than 3,000 years later, Luqman's (رحمه الله) advice still builds better founders than many modern leadership books.
Perhaps before reading another business bestseller, Muslim founders should spend more time reflecting on Surah Luqman.
What kind of companies would Muslims build if these nine pieces of advice became the foundation of their leadership?
Muslim Founder Brief
A daily briefing on Muslim ownership, responsibility, and disciplined building.
Muslim Founder Brief
A daily briefing on Muslim ownership, responsibility, and disciplined building.
Muslim Founder Brief
A daily briefing on Muslim ownership, responsibility, and disciplined building.
