The Leadership Training Program of the Prophets
Every profession has an educational program that precedes it. It could be a degree, apprenticeship, or even quick on-the-job training.
While it can feel a bit odd to think of prophethood as a profession, that thought does spark some curiosity regarding what kind of educational program prophets may have gone through.
Prophets, by definition, had to excel at skills such as leadership, communication, responsibility, conflict resolution, change management (how’s that for working in a corporate buzzword reference), emotional intelligence, and the list goes on.
Certainly, it can be argued that Allah (swt) blessed them with innate ability and talent. The Prophet (s) hinted at something else as well. He said, “Allah did not send any prophet but that he cared for sheep.” The companions asked, “And you as well?” The Prophet said, “Yes. I was a shepherd with a modest wage on behalf of the people of Mecca (Bukhari).”
A shepherd is a caretaker. They must fulfill the individual needs of each animal. When an animal is sick or hurt, they must be tended to. The shepherd must also protect the sheep from external threats such as wolves.
The shepherd must adapt. Each animal has a different personality and must be dealt with accordingly. The shepherd cannot reason with sheep intellectually or with conversation, but must still find a way to direct them.
Sometimes the shepherd walks alongside the sheep, sometimes in front, and sometimes behind. The flock must be kept together, and none of them can be left behind.
The shepherd must know the lay of the land. They must know which areas to avoid, and where to find food.
They bear all of this hardship without any extra provision - a “modest wage” as the hadith says.
The responsibilities listed here are by no means comprehensive. They do, however, highlight some of the wisdom behind prophets working as shepherds.
The Prophet (s) also mentioned shepherding as a role of each and every individual, “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects… (Bukhari/Muslim)”
What are your areas of responsibility?
Identify where you act as a shepherd. It can be professionally, in a volunteer capacity, at home, or even online. Then, identify the skills you need to develop to fulfill that role with ihsan (excellence).
What are your transferable skills?
What skills are you already learning that can be useful elsewhere? What skills have you mastered that can be applied somewhere else?
This can help you identify future career opportunities. It can also help show you how you can best make a unique contribution to the community.
Lastly, if you feel stuck in a situation, remember that you may be receiving training for something better that Allah (swt) has planned for you without you realizing it.
