Leadership of Muhammad: by John Adair, a book review

From the Editor

John Adair is a teacher and writer on leadership who works at the United Nations System Staff College, and whose experience includes a youthful stint in the Arab Legion. His interest in the leadership qualities of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stem from embracing Islam and knowledge of bedouin culture due to his own experiences.

The book is composed of several narratives about leadership, including hadith and stories about bedouin leaders, the Companions and Muslim leaders throughout the centuries between the 7th and the 21st, all explaining character requirements and leadership qualities necessary or characteristic to leading, be it a small group of bedouin soldiers or a multi-national organization. The timeless quality of the Prophet's lessons on leadership are demonstrated and illustrated. 

The book's title page carries a hadith: "On a journey, the leader of a people is their servant." 

By marrying anecdotes about the Prophet, leadership lessons and practical examples which draw on the moral and ethical dimensions from the stories told, and adding Arabic phrases, proverbs and dimensions which clearly are sourced in Adair's experiences amongst the Bedouin, this book is simultaneously a lesson in leadership as well as a guidebook to teaching about Islam through the prism of the Prophet's guidance. John Adair certainly loves our beloved Prophet, and has found an eloquent way to state this sympathy.

Well-recommended, well-written.

Ma' salaama