Pious Followers: The Key to a Leader’s Triumph

(Good leadership in Islam is rooted in the principles of justice, compassion, and accountability, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). A true leader does not seek authority for personal gain but serves as a shepherd to their people, guiding them with wisdom and fairness. Leadership, in essence, is a trust—a sacred responsibility to uphold truth, protect the rights of others, and foster unity. Islam emphasises that leaders must embody humility, consult with their community, and remain steadfast in righteousness, always mindful of their ultimate accountability to Allah. But good leadership requires pious and morally upright followers for success. This article discusses pious followers who help the leaders succeed.) A leader’s journey is deeply intertwined with the moral compass they embrace. In Islam, a pious following elevates leadership by fostering trust, integrity, and unity. When followers embody righteousness, they strengthen the leader’s resolve, creating a collective force rooted in faith, accountability, and shared purpose—vital for true and lasting success. Ibn Qayyim has a beautiful commentary of the following verse,

“And if Allah did not check one set of people through another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of bounty to the Aalameen.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 251]

Ponder upon the Hikmah (Wisdom) of Allah where He has made people’s kings, leaders, and those of authority over them, of the same kind as their own deeds. It is as if the people’s deeds appeared in the forms of their kings and leaders. If the people are upright, then their kings and rulers will be upright, and if they turn away (from uprightness) then their leaders will turn against them. And if they oppress and tyrannise, then their kings and rulers will tyrannise and oppress. And if deception and treachery become manifest amongst them, then the same will appear in their rulers. And since the early Muslims were the best and most righteous of generations, their rulers were of the same standing. But when the people turned weak, their rulers turned out to be of their rank. (Miftaah Daarus-Sa`aadah, 1/177-178) Pious Followers Get the Best Leadership Piety of followers includes making supplications for the well-being and righteousness of the rulers. Al-Fuḍayl bin Iyyāḍ  said, “If I had one supplication that was going to be answered, I would make it for the leader, for the wellbeing and righteousness of the leader means wellbeing for the land and its people.” (Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā in his biography of Al-Fuḍayl b. ʿAyyāḍ) Urwah ibn Masud’s Observation about the Followers of Prophet (ﷺ) A summarised version of Urwa bin Masud will give an insight of how firm and upright loyal followers impact upon the enemies during war and peace. During the crisis of Hudaibiya, Urwa bin Masud requested the Pagan Quraish to let him go and talk to the Prophet and try to persuade him. He was among the nobles of Quraish and was a mediating spokesperson on behalf of the Arabs when he persuaded the Ukas to help the Arabs in wars. He was granted permission, and he went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “O Muhammad! Won’t you feel any scruples in extirpating your relations? Have you ever heard of anyone amongst the Arabs extirpating his relatives before you? On the other hand, if the reverse should happen, (nobody will aid you, for) by Allah, I do not see (with you) dignified people, but people from various tribes who would run away, leaving you alone.” Hearing that, Abu Bakr abused him and said, “Do you say we would run and leave the Prophet (ﷺ) alone?” Urwa said, “Who is that man?” They said, “He is Abu Bakr.” Urwa said to Abu Bakr, “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, were it not for the favor which you did to me and which I did not compensate, I would retort on you.” Urwa kept on speaking with the Prophet (ﷺ) and would seize the Prophet’s beard as he was talking. Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba was standing near the head of the Prophet, holding a sword and wearing a helmet. Whenever Urwa would stretch his hand towards the beard of the Prophet,Al-Mughira would hit his hand with the handle of the sword and say, “Remove your hand from the beard of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).” Urwa raised his head and asked, “Who is that?” The people said, “He is Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba.” Urwa then started looking at the Companions of the Prophet. By Allah, whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) spat, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of them (i.e. the Prophet’s companions) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them they would carry his orders immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke to him, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect. Urwa returned to his people and said, “O people! By Allah, I have been to the kings and to Caesar, Khosrau and Najashi, yet I have never seen any of them respected by his courtiers as much as Muhammad is respected by his companions. By Allah, if he spat, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of them (i.e. the Prophet’s companions) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them, they would carry out his order immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect.” Urwa added, “No doubt, he has presented to you a good, reasonable offer, so accept it.” What Did Urwa Note in the Followers of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Urwah had experience in the court of the Romans, Khusrou and other Emperors as to how they were dealt with and respected by their followers, but he was stunned by the companionship of Sahaba (Companions).

1. Unhesitant obedience
2. Hurry to implement his command
3. Spoke to him in a low tone.
4. Sternly refused to desert him during a crisis.
5. Did not allow Urwah to take liberty with the beard of the Prophet

The Companions applied the following verse,

“Those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light sent down with him, promising them prosperity.” [Surah al Araf: 157]

The Children of Israel Rebelled Against Their Pious Leader There are multiple examples of stubbornness in disobeying the leaders mentioned in the Quran.

1. They refused to believe unless they saw Allah.
2. Refused to accept the leadership of Talut, though he was appointed as a king by Allah after the Children of Israel desired to have a king so they could fight in the way of Allah.
3. They refused to fight along with Musa and Harun and arrogantly asked them to take Allah with them to fight.
4. They took up the calf for worship in the absence of Musa and committed shirk.

The result was that Allah humiliated them in this world and promised humiliation for them in the hereafter.

“When they stubbornly persisted in violation, We said to them, ‘Be disgraced apes!’  And Remember, when your Lord declared that He would send against them others who would make them suffer terribly until the Day of Judgment. We dispersed them through the land in groups.” [Surah Al Araf:166, 167]

1. They were turned into apes.
2. Harsh rulers were imposed upon them.
3. They were divided into sects.

Supplicating to Get Pious Followers is Appreciated by Allah Allah says,

“And those who say, ‘Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes.’” [Surah Furqan: 74]

The purpose of having pious spouses, offsprings, friends and followers is to be together with them in paradise. Ibn ‘Abbas, Al-Hasan, As-Suddi, Qatadah and Rabi` bin Anas said, “Leaders who would be taken as examples in good.” Others said, “Guides who would call others to goodness.” They wanted their worship to be connected to the worship of their children and offspring, and their guidance to go beyond themselves and benefit others. This would be more rewarding and a better end.” (Tafseer Ibn Kathir: Surah Furqan: 72-74) The reasons for supplicating for pious followers are understood by the following hadith,

“When a son of Adam dies, his deeds cease apart from three: a righteous child who will pray for him, knowledge from which others may benefit after him, or ongoing charity.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1631)

Pious supporters are very important for a leader’s success because they are honest, have strong faith, and believe in being fair. Their loyalty helps the leader to achieve their goals and create a team where everyone works together and grows spiritually. The Quran and Hadith teach us that good companions help leaders do better when they follow Islamic rules. Together, they make communities that believe in Allah, do good things, and help everyone succeed in this life and the next.