Hazrat Umar the Servant Leader

Hazrat Umar (May Allah be Pleased with him)

The idea of a Servant Leader

 Servant leadership is a new theory introduced into the field of management by an American scholar Robert Greenleaf in the last quarter of the twentieth century. This theory describes a type of leadership which attracts the research of the scholars to present before the world a model to emulate by the present leaders to inspire awe and respect among the followers.  The turn of the century witnessed the leadership assessment model of Laub, and the servant leadership model which is based on the theory of Patterson (2003)   but the popularity gained by Servant Leadership Assessment Instrument (SLAI) by Dennis and Bocarnea got an immense popularity. I have chosen Umar Ibn Al-Khatab and the touchstone method used to assess his personality will be the Peterson’s theory. That touchstone as presented in the Patterson’s theory will be: constructs of love, humility, altruism, vision, trust, service, and empowerment. This article will also present a brief over view of the present servant leadership in the modern world in comparison with the leadership which the great Umar (R.A) presented the world to emulate 1400 years before. His leadership was transformational and responsible, the concept which the modern world becomes familiar with in the twentieth century. The effective leadership depends upon the effective team, again this is a modern concept but had not only been   introduced but practically adopted also 1400 years ago by the Muslims which was strengthened by the great Umar (R.A). The leader does not lead the way but prepares a team also, so did the great Umar (R.A). with a futuristic and transformational vision, the great Umar (R.A) introduced, effected and implemented those reforms which became a hall mark of 20^th century welfare state and are now called by the modern states as Umar Laws. The Great Umar (R.A) was of martinet nature but when he became a leader of Muslim community, he truly transformed himself into a true servant roaming around at nights to serve the needy and sick, carrying provisions to them, his sincerity to Muslims and Islam made him a towering personality. People of every faith had a complete trust upon him and accepted his judgment which speaks of the equality of all, without caste, color, creed, race and religion, interestingly it is a modern concept introduced by the great Umar (R.A). Dictatorship which we still witness in Arab and African countries in the 21^st century even was given away in place of division of powers and empowerment of different departments and officers of the state so much so that the Qazi could announce judgment against him. He believed in the strict accountability, a concept unheard of before the 20^th century, 1400 years ago he stripped the governor off his office on public complaint. the true welfare state concept is still a far cry in the 21^st century which the great Umar (R.A) presented and applied in its letter and spirit and gave an example to the coming times to follow and emulate.