Leadership Construction in The Qur’an: Meaning and Implications

Abstract

This research aims to describe the concept of leadership from an Islamic perspective, the meanings, and the implications inherent in each term based on textual references from the Qur’an. The theme of leadership in Islam has often been viewed narrowly in connection with the governance of a state, commonly referred to as "Khalifah al-Islamiah." However, each term carries its distinct meaning and implications, most appropriately applied to specific professions and moments. This study is a literature review employing an incorporative approach and descriptive, idealistic, and heuristic methods. Content analysis is used as the analytical technique to objectively and systematically uncover the characteristics of the messages contained within, addressing how the construction of leadership in the Islamic perspective and its meanings and implications truly unfolds. The results of the research reveal that the Qur’an employs several terms related to the theme of leadership in Islam, including caliph, wali, malik, sulthan, uli al-amr, and imâm, each with its unique meaning and implications, all of which are integrated within the persona of a leader. A correct understanding of leadership terms in the Qur'an will have a broad impact on life because the essence of leadership is not for oneself but for leading the world and all creatures in it.