We often focus on individual spiritual development and this is important. However, what are the responsibilities of those who come into forms of power within a community to relate to and be aware of the spiritual journey of a community?
The story of Prophet Yusuf (upon him be peace) and his father Prophet Yacub (upon him be peace) has always inspired me to remember that even though misfortune may grasp every part of our lives, we must hold on to hope.
(For non Arabic speakers, Yusuf is translated into Joseph and Yacub into Jacob.)
In Surah Yusuf, the Qur’anic story unfolds with the father of Prophet Yusuf (upon him be peace) being informed that his son had died. Prophet Yacub (upon him be peace) hears again and again of the travails of his son.
Yet through it all, as a father he holds on to faith and to hope that ultimately there will be both justice and restoration of familial bonds.
He says, “So patience is most fitting for me. May Allah restore them all to me. Surely, He is the Knowing, the Wise” (12: 83). In this moment, we learn that a father and a prophet must hope against all odds for a positive outcome.
In essence, one becomes the cheerleader of a community who has no hope. It can become the sacred duty of a leader to infuse his/her community with the optimism that situations may turn around.
It does not mean a blind eye to the realities of a situation, however it emphasizes the need for someone within a community to be a visionary and to hold the process of community spiritual formation as central in their consciousness.
We often focus on individual spiritual development and this is important. However, what are the responsibilities of those who come into forms of power within a community to relate to and be aware of the spiritual journey of a community?
What are the key aspirations that must be publicly articulated and moral imperatives that must be exemplified in one’s conduct to enjoin a hopeful community? What are the ethics of hope as a part of a community leader’s rhetoric in describing both problems and solutions?
I also define community leaders broadly, it can be the mother who teaches Sunday Islamic school, the person who cleans the masjid, the youth who starts a soup kitchen. If a community is infused with hope, they are also imbued with a call to action.
It is only when we determine that there is no hope that inertia sets in and there is no instigator to move a community towards a higher spiritual level and active engagement on issues of justice, empowerment and mercy.
How do you support hope in your family? How do you define hope as a leader? How are you inspired to be hopeful and to spread hope with your colleagues? What do you do when you get in a rut, spiritually that pulls you into despair?
For more updates from Najeeba Syeed, check out her Facebook pageand Twitter account! This post was first published on the author’s personal blog: Najeeba’s World.
