The Leadership of Imam Mūsa as-Ṣadr (rA)
The following story has been narrated regarding Imam Musa as-Ṣadr.
While taking on his leadership role in Lebanon, the Sayyid was known to have been very active in trying to attract the youth towards becoming more religious and more practicing. Where others had failed, Imam as Sadr (ra) was able to succeed by way of his genuine humility, his sincere love and devotion for the people, and his unconventional yet ingenious methods.
On a certain Friday, 2 boys and 2 girls decided to head to the beach while everyone else was attending Jum'ua prayers. Islamic rules of modesty were not on their priority list. As time went by, the 2 boys noticed someone walking towards them from a distance. As the figure got closer and closer, they began to realize that it wasn’t just any ordinary person, it was a scholar. Finally, their eyes focused in on the black turban and the unmistakable face of their community leader, and they at last realized that Sayyid Musa as-Ṣadr was the one coming towards them.
The boys began to panic, in fear of what he would say to them. They grabbed their towels off the sand, tossed it to their female friends, frantically ordering them to cover themselves before the Sayyid got any closer. As he came within earshot of the boys, they began apologizing profusely, admitting that they were sorry, that they should have been attending Friday prayers instead of coming to the beach with these girls. The Sayyid said nothing. He quietly and calmly sat down on the sand next to where they were standing. The boys looked at each other in utter confusion and with no other recourse available, simply sat down next to their leader, awaiting the angry scolding that they must have no doubt been accustomed to from other typical scholars.
After a few minutes of silence, Sayyid as-Ṣadr turns to the boys and says to them, “You should not be the ones apologizing. Actually, I must apologize to you.” Whatever shock and confusion they had before paled in comparison this new bewilderment. They replied, “But Sayyid, WE were the ones who missed out on your jumua khutbah and instead came here to commit sin.” With pure unpretentiousness, the Imam said to them, “Yes, but it was MY duty to bring you to the masjid. I have failed you. So please, tell me what I can do to bring you to the masjid next time.” He then sat with them for hours on end, listening to their problems, understanding why they made their decision, and what he could do in the future to protect them from commit such acts.
As students, this is a true model, a true example by which we can learn how to effectively deal with our families, our friends, and our communities. Imam Musa as-Ṣadr didn’t put the blame on the youth, the media, the parents, the community, etc…He took full responsibility for everything. This is true humility. This is true community building. This is true leadership.
Please recite a fātiḥa for his blessed soul and pray that we can all become great leaders like the Sayyid (rA).
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