Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdulla Shahid has stated the leadership is rooted in the ability to have mercy, especially upon those who have wronged you. 

He made this remark in a sermon delivered during the Friday prayers at the United Nations, which was led by the Maldivian minister.

Highlighting that after the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was expelled from Mecca and travelled more than 400 kilometers to the city of Madinah, PGA Shahid noted how the residents of the latter eagerly waited for his arrival, to hear what his first message to the city’s residents would be.  

Going on to highlight how the crowd that had gathered wondered whether the Prophet was going to speak about seeking vengeance, his pain and suffering or the sorrow that he had endured and that which had forced him to leave his homeland, PGA Shahid stated that there was a prominent Jewish Rabbi among the crowd; Abdullah ibn Salam who narrated that upon arrival, the prophet told the residents of Madinah to “Spread peace, share food and increase in proximity to your Lord by praying at night while others are asleep.” 

Despite the events happening around him or what he and his companions had gone through or left behind, the Prophet’s message was about peace and creating a community based on that foundation of peace, security and social justice. His message was about mercy and compassion.  

With this, he noted that leadership is engrained in the ability to look forward, the ability to rise above bitterness, the ability to have mercy, “especially” upon those who have wronged you. 

One of the greatest moments of victory; the conquest of Mecca came just several years later, said the Maldivian minister who noted that this time, the Mecca residents awaited their fate eagerly, as Mecca was the city that had after all expelled the Messenger of Allah, with the residents of Mecca having opposed and fought the Prophet for more than 20 years.

Shedding light on how the Prophet told the Mecca resident that they were free after having arrived and how the need to recompense for the what had earlier done was no longer there, PGA Shahid described this to be compassion.

With the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan 1443 coming to an end, PGA Shahid noted how he is reminded of the feelings of mercy Ramadan exudes which brings people together.  

PGA Shahid highlighted that the Messenger of Allah was the most exalted example of mercifulnes and compassion and was a leader, “like no other”.