16. Humane leadership

13 Seligman, M.E.P., 2000, `Positive Clinical Psychology', in L.G., Aspinwall & U.M., Staudinger (Eds.), A Psychology of Human Strengths: Perspectives on an Emerging Field, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Strengths of coherence: 17. Honesty/authenticity 18. Integration/balance/temperance 19. Self-control/self-regulation 20. Wisdom/prudence 21. Spirituality/sense of purpose/faith/religiousness. A review of this list will lead one to conclude that Islam was the first to propose a theory of `positive psychology,' since many of these are the same positive personality or character traits that are encouraged from an Islamic perspective. The main distinction between the scientific approach and the Islamic one is that in Islam, one attempts to develop these traits for the sake and pleasure of Allah H ( ), while the main goal in the scientific approach is to improve one's existence and experience in this life. Negative character traits There are many negative character traits, many of which are the opposite of the positive characteristics. These might include oppression, envy, greed, pride, conceit, and so forth. Only arrogance and showing off are presented here, due to their serious nature. Arrogance The opposite of humility (discussed above in positive traits) is H arrogance. Allah ( ) warned us against arrogance, saying: {And do not walk upon the earth exultantly [with conceit and arrogance]. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.} (Qur'an 17: 37) These verses indicate that we have no right to be arrogant because we are minute and weak creatures in comparison to the majesty of the rest of Allah's creation. Arrogance was actually the downfall of Satan; he thought that he was better than Adam ( ). X The Prophet (|) said: «There are three people whom Allah will not speak to on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He sanctify them, nor look at them, and they will have a grievous penalty. These are: an old man who commits illegal sexual acts, a ruler who lies, and an arrogant poor person.» (recorded by Muslim) The Messenger of Allah (|) said: «Shall I not inform you about the inmates of hell? It is every violent, impertinent and arrogant person.» (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim) The Prophet (|) also said: «Glory is His (Allah's) lower garment, and pride is the upper one, and (Allah says): He who contends with Me in regard to them, I shall torment him.» (recorded by Muslim) Showing off (riyaÃ') RiyaÃ' means showing off by performing deeds in order to gain recognition or attention from others. The deeds may be considered to be acts of obedience, but due to the distorted intention of the H individual, they will not be accepted by Allah ( ). RiyaÃ' involves a level of hypocrisy and is considered to be a minor form of shirk H . Allah ( ) says: {So woe to those who pray, [but] who are heedless of their prayer Ð those who make show [of their deeds] and withhold [simple] assistance.} (Qur'an 107: 4-7) The Messenger of Allah (|) warned people of this minor shirk. He said: «The thing I fear most for you is the lesser shirk. They (Companions) asked: O Messenger of Allah! What is the lesser shirk? He said: Showing off. On the Day of Judgment, when rewarding people for their deeds, Allah the Exalted and Glorious will say to the hypocrites: Go to those for the sake of whom you performed your good deeds, and see if you can get any reward from them.» (a sound hadith recorded by Ah.mad) | Regarding showing off, the Prophet ( ) said: «He who lets people hear of his good deeds intentionally to win their praise, Allah will let people know his real intention (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who does good things in public to show off and win the praise of the people, Allah will disclose his real intention (and humiliate him).» (recorded by Muslim) | Similarly, the Prophet ( ) also said: «The first person to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought forth, and Allah will remind him of His blessings, and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: What did you do with them? He will say: I fought for Your sake until I was martyred. Allah will say: You have lied. You only fought so that people would say: He is courageous, and they did say it. Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the fire. Then there will be a man who studied much, taught others, and recited Qur'an. He will be H brought forth, and Allah ( ) will remind him of His blessings, and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: What did you do with them? He will say: I studied much, taught others, and recited Qur'an for Your sake. Allah will say: You have lied. You studied so that people would say: He is a scholar, and you recited Qur'an so that they would say: He is a reciter Ð and they did say it. Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the fire. Then there will be a man to whom Allah gave all types of wealth in abundance. He will be brought forth, and Allah will remind him of His blessings, and he will recognize them. Then he will be asked: What did you do with them? He will say: I have never seen any way in which You would like money to be spent for Your sake without spending it. Allah will say: You have lied. You did that so people would say: He is generous, and they did say it. Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the fire.» (recorded by Muslim) The signs of riyaÃ' include the following: