Abstract
Leadership can be studied from many different angles. The term leadership in Islam as used in this study is associated with “the highest leadership for Muslims”, known as the Khalīfah, Imām, etc. It refers to macro level or tier one or supreme leadership for Muslims in and world affairs. This study aims to understand Al-ʿĀṣī’s notion/concept of leadership as articulated in select qur’anic verses of his exegetical work, The Ascendant Qur’an, as well as the fundamental requisites of leadership articulated in his exegesis. The work examines Islamic leadership and its growing critical role in the context of and inter-related world. This study was a maudhu'i or thematic study, based on collecting a sample of verses of the Qur'an that appear to have the same theme. Thematic content analysis in its qualitative interpretative variant was used during analysis to compile categories of meaning.
Keywords and phrases : Leader, leadership; muttaqi, ʿibādah, taqwā; al-ʿamal al-ṣāliḥ, alladhīna āmanū, ṭāʿah, walāyat, Qur’an and hadith, comply with Allah, conform to Allah, yield to Allah, be conscious of Allah’s power, being aware of Allah’s power, being on guard against Allah’s power, proper relationship with Allah, efforts, labor, deeds, works, actions, to do Allah’s will, committed Muslims, Prophet’s leadership is central, obey, allegiance to Allah and His Prophet, alliance to Allah and His Prophet.