Family of Influencers

Samina Tariq Khan     Calgary

In today’s term we can take the family of Ibrahim (as) as the family of Influencers. 

Ibrahim (as), Hajar (as), Ismail (as) Sara (as) and Ishaq (as),

They all have one thing in common, figure out what? Every one of them is a person of influence. The personality traits they all possessed are now considered as key or skills of leadership. We all know the story, let’s review some of the qualities they showed in difficult times: 

Integrity: All of them practiced the highest level of Integrity throughout their life.

Listening: Listened to Allah’s command, listening to husband, son listening to father.

Decision Making:  They showed the ability to make difficult, tough, and courageous decisions and executed them very well. 

Nature of Nurture: Hazrat Hajar raised Ismael alone in the desert, without any family around, so well-raised   and obedient to his father who left him in the desert and still no complaints or any personality disorder. When we put our strong trust in Allah, every aspect of human life, physical, mental, and spiritual nourishes and flourishes well.  

Ability to Sacrifice: Family makes lots of sacrifices, for us it’s not only to commemorate the sacrifice of sheep, camel, or cow, but also to curb our worldly desires and wishes, leave our comfort zone, spend time, skills and money for the betterment of humanity.
Care for People: Remember, when Ibrahim was tested by his Lord with certain commandments, which he fulfilled, Allah said, I will certainly make you into a role model for the people. Ibrahim asked, what about my offspring? Allah replied, “my covenant is not extended to the wrongdoers. [124- The Cow]

 “Then after the fear had left Ibrahim, and the good news reached him, he began to plead with US for the people of Lut.” [74  -Hud]

“Truly, Ibrahim was forbearing, tender hearted, and ever turning to his Lord”. [75- Hud]

Courage:   Hajar- alone in mountains, Ibrahim- leaving family behind, Ismail courage to be sacrificed. 

Hope and Trust: “The angel then said to her, “Do not fear abandonment, for a House for Allah (Kabah) will be built in this area by this boy and his father, and most certainly, Allah does not abandon His people.” [Al-Bukhari].

The civilization of Mecca started to evolve after that time. The first tribe to settle there was Yermeni of Jurhum. 

Positive Attitude: When Ibrahim started to depart, Hajar followed him, saying, ‘O Ibrahim! Where are you going and leaving us in this deserted valley?’ She asked several times; he did not answer. She then said to him, ‘Did Allah command you to do this?’ Ibrahim replied, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then certainly, He will not abandon us”. (No whining or complaining).

Influence is a Skill that can be Developed: John Maxwell writes “Everyone has influence, positive or negative, if your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer. You don’t need a high-profile occupation to be a person of influence. If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive impact on your world, you need to become a person of influence”. [2]

“Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted individual will influence ten thousand other people during his or her lifetime”! [3]. 

Real leadership is not having authority, power, and status, rather it is the ability to influence others, be able to make a positive difference in other people’s lives. The key to leadership are qualities that can be developed by practice.

This family is the best example for us to follow. We need to work on ourselves to develop these personality traits to make our own life better and to have a positive influence on others.

Reference: 

1. English Translation of Quran.

2.Becoming a Person of Influence by John C Maxwell and Jim Dornan.

3. Developing the Leader within You, by John C Maxwell.