A Comparative Study of Ethical Leadership Principles: The Prophetic Model and Contemporary Leadership Ethics

Abstract

With a growing awareness and concern about corruption, abuse of 
power, organizational misconduct, and loss of public trust in 
institutions around the world, the study of ethical leadership has 
emerged as one of the most prominent fields of study in the discipline 
of leadership. In modern theories of leadership, integrity, 
accountability, fairness, transparency and servant leadership are 
considered to be key values of a good leader. The ideas have become 
well known in the field of management, and organizational study, but 
the example of the Prophet (saw) is a complete and everlasting example 
of ethical leadership, which is over 1400 years old and predates 
modern concepts. In this research the author critically analyzes the 
principles of ethical leadership found in the Prophetic model (Uswah 
Hasanah صلى الله عليه وسلم (and contrasts them with the ethical leadership in the modern era. The study reflects on, through qualitative and analytical 
research, the important ethical issues such as integrity, justice, 
accountability, consultation, compassion, service and moral 
responsibility. Prophetic model combines ethical behaviour with 
spiritual responsibility, social responsibility and social welfare, 
providing a more comprehensive understanding of ethical leadership. 
The study concludes that the Prophetic leadership paradigm is still 
very pertinent to the current leadership challenges and can play a great role in the discussions on ethical governance and leadership of today's 
organizations.