An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
1. god’s people
~ 40 ~
Yaman, so that I could use them for God’s
work.”
(AL TARIKH AL-SAGHIR)
QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP
In the context of his relationship with the Caliph
Umar, Abdullah ibn Abbas says that he served
him better even than the members of his own
household, and that “he used to seat me next to
him and showed me great respect.” He relates
how one day when he was alone with him in his
home, he suddenly heaved such a deep sigh that
it was as if he was about to surrender his soul.
Abdullah enquired. “Is it because of some
apprehension that you heave this sigh?” “It is,
indeed,” he replied, and asking Abdullah to
come nearer, he told him that he did not know of
anyone capable of taking on ‘this work’ by
which he meant the caliphate. Abdullah ibn
Abbas then mentioned six names, and asked the
Caliph if he did not know them. Umar
commented on each one of them in turn and then
said: “One who is firm but not overbearing, soft
but not weak, generous but not extravagant,
