(This article first appeared in Jendela Hikmah, a weekly column every Friday of the week in one of the Malaysian mainstream media Berita Harian, dated March 24th. 2006. For this entry, it has been revised and modified…)
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The transition period between being a child and a matured adult is coined as being an adolescent. Sometimes it may be termed as being a teenager, in other instances as young adults or simply youths. Call it whatever you may. The underlying fact is that the people making up this range in age will undoubtedly be the inheritors of this whole ummah. They are analogous to being like fragile buds slowly awakening to eventually flourish as full fledged blossoms and embellishing their fragrances as time ticks slowly by. Numerous lessons may be gathered, studied and learnt from the Quran and Al Hadith by Muslim youths; one being the story of King Zul-Qarnain.
In surah Al-Kahfi in particular, youths may emulate the leadership qualities possessed by King Zul-Qarnain. His name exemplifies his greatness; something that may be reflected upon to assess who this man really was. The meaning of his special name is “the one with the two horns” – based upon the power that he presides across boundaries of the West stretching all the way to the East.
Allah has said in the surah Al-Kahfi verse 84, the meaning of which is:
“Indeed we established his power in the land and We gave him all kinds of ways and means.”
The leadership qualities in this great leader Zul-Qarnain that youths may strive to possess are:
1. Taqwa.
The strength of taqwa in Zul-Qarnain is so deeply embedded even though he had the whole of the regions of the East and the West under his authority. Even if he had the East and the West subjugated beneath his feet and command, the glory did not make him forget who he was. He did not let success enter into his head and eat it all out. This is apparent as he knew his place and position in relation to his Creator, Allah subhanahuwataala (swt). Listen to what he said at the time when he was building the great wall demarcating and keeping out the Yajuj and Majuj, in verses 94 and 95, the meanings of which are:
“Should we pay tribute in order for you to build a barrier between us and them?” Zul-Qarnain said: “That which my Rabb has granted me is more than enough.””
This same attitude of Zul-Qarnain kept him firmly grounded on his feet even after the successful completion of the Great Divide as is shown in verse 98:
“He said: “This is a blessing from my Rabb. But you should know that when the promise of my Rab shall come to pass, He will level it to the ground, for the promise of my Rabb is ever true.”
Reflect upon the high degree of taqwa carved and chiselled into the heart and soul of Zul-Qarnain.
2. A clear vision, mission and goal in life
In verses 87 until 88 of the surah Al-Kahfi, Allah said:
“He (Zul-Qarnain) said: “Anyone who will do wrong shall be punished; then will he return to his Rabb and be sternly punished by Him. As for him who believes and does good deeds, he will have a good reward and will be assigned an easy task by our command.”
Based on these verses, it is clear that his vision was to uphold the truth, justice and to wield battle against any form of apostacy and wrongdoings as stipulated by Allah. Even though he had within his reach, all the power and greatness, these had not made him go astray from the goal that he wished to achieve, which was deeply engraved in his heart. All the power and authority that he held was used as a tool or platform to establish the kingdom of Allah swt.
This method of approach was consistently implemented in all the establishments under Zul-Qarnain’s wings.
3. An intelligent strategist
Indeed, in order to achieve a targeted vision, a very well planned approach will need to be undertaken; not simply being brash and spontaneous or according to one’s whims and fancies. In this regard, there are repetitions of the following form of the verse in the surah:
“Then he set out on another expedition and marched on.”
This affirmation is mentioned three times i.e. in verses 85, 89 and 92.
What is the underlying significance of these repetitions? Of course, none other than to establish the fact that in order to achieve the pinnacle of success, one needs to strategize carefully, impeccably detailed and immaculately laid out. There must also exist an action plan.
4. Having a Wide Outlook and Global Perspective
The importance for Muslim youths to acquire a more matured outlook encompassing global perspectives is a fact that cannot be denied. In the words of Allah as in verse 84:
“Indeed we established his power in the land and We gave him all kinds of ways and means.”
“Indeed we established his power in the land and We gave him all kinds of ways and means.”
The essence of this concept observed in Zul-Qarnain may be seen in the practice propagated by King Meiji during his reign in Japan in 1876. In fact, the word ‘dochakuka’ is the keyword implemented especially in the area of agriculture; so much so that the success achieved in this area has spread into the industrial sector. New products of high standards have found its place in the local market and woven its niche competitively across the globe and the world market. Likewise, Muslim youths should be able to see themselves as this ‘excellent quality products’, equipped with the right Muslim attitudes and identity, capable of projecting themselves in the local area as well as speading their wings and to be of benefit to the whole wide world. That was the way it was with the early Muslim travelers, traders and bringers of the message of this great religion of Islam, bringing with them the virtues and exemplary qualities along the way. It comes to no surprise as to why Islam has managed to spread its wings from the interior nothingness of the deserts to countries East and West of the hemisphere, becoming the fastest growing religion in the world.
5. Communicative Skills
Allah says in verses 93 until 94:
“till he reached between two mountains where he found a people who could hardly understand his language. They requested: O Zul-Qarnain! People of Gog and Magog ravage this land.”
Imagine how the situation would be like if a leader has the capacity to understand the languageof a certain race which no one else before him could. How fortunate it would be for the people to have such a leader. This also meant that Zul-Qarnain had in him a high level of communicative skills which is even today, deemed as a necessary quality for a leader.
In order to understand, one must also be a good listener. For a leader, this is not only an essential quality but also proves to be especially paramount as far as planning and formulating plans of action are concerned. Even more, the leader should be articulate and suave especially when confronted with difficult situations, requiring skills in rebuttal as well as refuting arguments shot down from enemies. As such, it is not surprising why Zul-Qarnain’s empire surpasses horizons East and West.
6. Well equipped with the most current and sophisticated technology
The practice of ‘being spectators, mere consumers and only know how to make use of’ should be curtailed amongst us Muslims. We should attempt to be at the forefront of exploratory efforts, making discoveries, to be pioneers in research, innovating and creating new technologies. There is a very big difference between being a consumer and an inventor.
Zul-Qarnaian certainly acquired this particular skill as is described in verses 96 until 97. With this empowerment bestowed upon him, the construction of the great wall to ward off the evils of Yakjuj and Makjuj was made possible.
“(He said) “Bring me panels of iron.” Finally when he dammed up the space between the two mountains, he said: “Ply your bellows.” They did so until the iron wall became red hot, then he said: “Bring me some molten brass to pour over it.” This became such a barrier that Gog and Magog could not scale it or to dig through it.”
Therefore, Muslim youths…If you already have made your new year resolutions, wouldn’t it have been made much more meaningful if your resolutions be adjusted to include some (if not all ) of the qualities embodied in the great King Zul-Qarnain as shown by Allah in the surah Al Kahfi?
With the inclusions of these in Muslim youth’s resolution, the qualities of a potential leader will be envisaged and realized, Insya Allah…Amin..
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