All praise is due to Allah - Most Merciful - Most Compassionate. May His choicest salutations continue to descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam

“And it is on account of the mercy of Allah that you deal with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have scattered away from you; so pardon them and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs.” (3:159)

The month of Rabi ul Awwal ushered in the dawn of a new era for human civilization and development through the birth of the greatest of mankind Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, under whose leadership the Arabian Peninsula was transformed from an uncouth, nomadic, immoral and violent society into the cradle and fortress of human civilization. Its inhabitants- once regarded as social lepers -became the guiding stars for mankind at large. How did our beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam achieve this neigh impossible feat? What kind of statesmanship did he display that won over the hearts and minds of the very people who previously persecuted and plotted to murder him? People that spat at him afore suddenly applied his sweat as perfume!

Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam came not as ruler but as a leader. A leader shows the way and guides by his own example whilst a ruler simply demands compliance. A leader has certain inherent qualities quite independent of any office he may hold. These include both qualities of personal character and the ability to inspire and motivate others towards the realization of specific goals or objectives. A leader enjoys the admiration and respect of his followers, a ruler imposes himself by coercive means. A leader derives his authority through the willful obedience of his subjects whilst a ruler's authority is dependent on power and law.

 A leader emerges among people  A ruler campaigns among people
Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “Do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking, you will be left alone (to discharge the responsibilities associated with it) and if you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (to discharge your responsibilities).” Muslim

A leader derives his appeal from humility, A ruler appeals for superiority
In his first speech as khalifah of the Muslims, Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu said: "I have been appointed as ruler over you although I am not the best among you. I have never sought this position nor has there ever been a desire in my heart to have this in preference to anyone else... If I do right, you must help and obey me; if I go astray, set me aright... Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. If I disobey them, then you have no obligation to follow me…”

A leader's hallmark is mercy  A ruler's hallmark is authority
And We have not sent you forth except as a mercy to the universe. (21:107)  

Such was the compassion and mercy of the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam that when: “I start the prayers, intending to lengthen them. I then hear a child crying so I make them shorter, knowing that a mother will be distressed by her child's cries.”  Aisha y says that the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam kissed his grandsons on the forehead once while a villager was present. The villager said with surprise, “I have ten children. I have never kissed any of them!” Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam responded: “He who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.”

A leader shows undying concern.  A ruler demands unyielding compliance
There comes to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should suffer: he is so anxious over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful. (9:128) 

“From his mercy is that he never felt it below him to walk along a widow or with a poor person to fulfil their needs. He visited the weak and sick Muslims and attended their funerals. He treated orphans well and charitably. He commanded people to care for them and treat them with excellence and would say: “I and a patron of an orphan are as close in Paradise (as these two fingers) the index and middle finger.” He also said that the best house among the homes of Muslims one with an orphan being treated well in it. ” (Bukhari and Ibn Majah)

“If Allah puts anyone in the position of authority over the Muslims' affairs and he secludes himself (from them), not fulfilling their needs, wants, and poverty, Allah will keep Himself away from him, not fulfilling his need, want, and poverty. (Abu Dawud)

A leader is reliable, A ruler is reliant
“There are three signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

A leader elects people of expertise  A ruler elects people for expediency
“Whoever delegates a position to someone whereas he sees someone else as more competent (for the position); verily he has cheated Allah and His Apostle and all the Muslims.” (Ibn Taymiyya)

A leader is free from greed  A ruler thrives on greed
“Three things are part of the good morals of a believer. When he is overcome by anger, his anger should not drive him to falsehood. When he is happy, his happiness should not take him beyond the bounds of what is right. When he has power, he should not stake a claim to something which is not his.” (Tirmidhi)

“Greed and faith can never co-exist in the human heart.” (Nasa'i)

Our Master and Leader…
“The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was always cheerful, easy, pleasant-tempered and lenient. He was never rude or rough nor clamorous or indecent. He was neither a reproacher nor a praiser. He overlooked what he did not desire, yet you would never despair of him. Three qualities he disposed of: hypocrisy, excessiveness, and what was none of his concern. People did not fear him in three areas:  for they were not qualities or habits of his: He never disparaged, or reproached nor did he seek the defects or shortages of others. The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam used to laugh at what they laughed at and admired what they used to admire. He would always show patience with a stranger's harshness. He would say: “When you see a person seeking an object earnestly, assist him to get his need. And never ask for a reward except from the reward-Giver, i.e. Allah.” (Ash-Shifa)

May Allah Ta'âla bless this Ummah with the leadership qualities of our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam.