So we are on chapter 21 and this is the last story from Surat Al-Kahf. Just to do a quick recap, the first story was of the boys in the cave, the second was about the rich and the ‘not so rich’ man, and the third was about Prophet Musa and Khidr.
Now, Dhul Qarnayn’s story is short and heavy on parables in a way that you have to struggle to understand sometimes, but Sister Sadaf helped a lot, may Allah bless her. The story of Dhul Qarnayn is about leadership. It tells us how a leader should lead. Leaders are people upon who Allah bestows great power, responsibility and authority. Allah granted Dhul Qarnayn great power, responsibility, ability and knowledge.
The story shows us what he did with it and what other leaders should take a cue from.
1. He was someone Allah established on the earth. He was shown and given everything so that he knew his way.
2. He takes all he is given and tries to make the world a better place for Allah.
It’s not a small number of people he is leading; he’s travelling the world. On his journey, he meets three different sets of people.
Surat Al-Kahf (The Cave) – سورةالكهف
Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness.”
Allah always grants this ‘power’ to every ruler he establishes. The right to destroy or let subjects/people be. Successful leaders always …establish Allah’s law on the land.
‘For those of you who do good, we would not do anything to you. You would be treated justly, and the ultimate justice is from Allah. As for the one who wrongs, we will punish him, but when he returns to his Lord, he will be even more severely punished.’
And this is his decree for the first set of people.
He takes another path as Allah has granted him and comes upon a people who the Qur’an doesn’t tell whether they worship the sun or they worship the moon. So, we take it that they were worshippers of Allah, but their conditions are simple. They do not have any buildings. They have found a common way of living – going into caves during the nightcoming out and earning their livelihood during the day.
And of course, what does he do? He leaves them as it is. There is no reason to rock the boat. They’re not doing anything harmful. They have found a way of sustaining themselves. And as long as they are in worship of the one true God, he lets them be.
This is a huge lesson to leaders of the world. Thereis no need for you to go into a land and want to ‘help them.’‘ I want to solve their problem.’ If they have not asked you to come and solve their problem; if they do not have any issue wrong with them; if they’re doing what needs to be done according to what Allah has asked them to do, respect them and let them be. This is the knowledge of a true leader. So, understand that authority and might are truly Allah’s and not yours.
He finally comes upon a people who ask for help. And I think this is the most powerful of all the three stories. The people meet him, and realise he is a good person. They don’t understand each other’s languages but somehow signal to each other. And they tell him, ‘This is our problem. There are some people, Gog and Magog, and they are corruptors in the land. ’They ask him to build a barrier that would separate them from these people. They’re willing to pay for his help as well.
What does Dhul Qarnayn do? First, he refuses payment with the words – ‘My Lord has given me better than this. So, just give me the materials I need to do this so that I can help you as you have asked.’
Today, leaders demand the best natural resources of a people, trade concessions, visa freedoms and more, once they are in a position to help. If Allah has bestowed on you the ability and resources to help, you must do so by looking to Allah for His pleasure. Knowing that the might you have only come from Him. In our small areas of influence, how do you offer help when you’re asked? Demanding favours? Fa audhubillah!
Be pleased to render help to others and if they ask for a barrier, build an impregnable wall. And that’s exactly what Dhul Qarnayn did.
What they asked for, he does even more. What’s more? He doesn’t order people around to get it down but handles the job himself. He’s getting in there and saying, ‘Give me steel. Give me metal… fire.’ He goes to work and does this for the people.
So, the lesson here is that we put ourselves out for the people, especially for those who ask. We understand that doing this is not just for their sake, but because Allah has asked us to do our best for the people, to use our abilities for the people, and you do even more than they ask. Because you’re doing it for The One who owns all. And then when you’re done, subahanallah, like Dhul Qarnayn, remind them, ‘I’ve done this job, but note, it is heavy, it is impenetrable, but when The Lord of the world wills, It will come crashing down.’
So just because I’ve made this skyscraper that reaches into the skies, just because I’ve made this plane that is flying through wind and sky, just because I have built a dam that can stop everything, The One who truly owns us, The One who truly owns the world, when He is ready, it will come down.’
It’s a reminder to the people so they don’t go on praising Dhul Qarnayn. It’s also a reminder to Him as well, that ‘I am still a servant, and I must remain humble. Even though I’ve done this great feat, subhanAllah, it is by Allah’s mercy that I have done it.’
This is such a beautiful, beautiful story that teaches how a leader should be.
Sister Sadaf says that it’s difficult as a leader these days. We are ruled by the internet. We are ruled by the reaction of the people. You have great plans. You first have to share on the internet, measure and analyse every comment even as you’re implementing. Tweak and manipulate to suit thoughts and perceptions so that you remain favourable not altogether effective. It’s why books on leadership sell by the millions.
Ya Ikhwaan, we have the ultimate guide, the Qur’an.
Look at these 4 stories:
The story of the Dhul Qarnayn teaches one how to be a leader, putting Allah first.
As a rich person or poor person, each situation is a test, put Allah first.
As an ibaadi learning knowledge, do so with humility putting your Lord first.
And as for boys or young people, or anybody who is fighting to keep their deen, you should do it knowing that Allah is the one that grants us everythingand running to Him, even if it means away from the things that are turning you away from the faith, run, as He is ultimately Who we will all return to.
The beauty? We recite these reminders every Friday. Alhamdulillah.
