Elucidating a Model of Crisis Leadership in Light of Quranic Teachings and the Prophetic Sunnah: A Contemporary Approach to the Case of the Battle of Uḥud

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Quran and Sciences (Management Major), Al Mustafa International University, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) Specialized Center for Quran, Qum, Iran

2 Professor and Faculty Member at Imam Khomeini Complex, Al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran

10.22034/qns.2026.23737.1170

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to extract and design a leadership model grounded in Islamic teachings through an in‑depth examination of the Prophetic practice during the Battle of Uḥud. The article seeks to answer the question of how the key components of the Prophet’s leadership system operated under conditions of apparent defeat and a multidimensional crisis. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical method, employing qualitative content analysis of relevant Quranic verses and authoritative historical sources. The findings reveal six interrelated components: (1) value‑centered leadership prioritizing divine principles over material interests; (2) strategic decision‑making characterized by consultation and decisiveness; (3) the cultivation of ideologically committed cadres and avoidance of personality‑centered leadership; (4) crisis management and the restoration of the troops’ psychological cohesion; (5) core personal attributes such as courage and active trust in God; and (6) decentralization of responsibility to create a flexible organizational structure. The results indicate that the leadership pattern demonstrated at Uḥud constitutes an integrated model in which the dialectical interaction between structural and normative dimensions transformed crisis into an opportunity for the maturation of the nascent Muslim community. This framework, conceptualized as “tawḥīd‑centered transformational leadership,” complements theories of transformational and servant leadership by placing spirituality at their core. The application of this model may offer practical guidance for leaders and managers operating under conditions of uncertainty and crisis. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the study highlights the capacity of religious texts to contribute to the development of indigenous theories in the social sciences and management while providing actionable insights for leadership in contexts of complexity and uncertainty.

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