Challenges of Islamic Leadership in Indonesia

Leadership patterns have not changed much. However, the demands of many people
have changed in line with the changing times. The development of science has a big
contribution in this matter. Because the development of science and technology has caused
people to follow this change. The community feels compelled to compensate for change,
especially in developing countries where there are still many people's lives far from the
modern impression that is filled with sophisticated technological devices. We can find this in
Indonesian society, which is in rural tribes in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Papua.

Indonesia's future environmental challenges are very diverse. Especially now that the
dynamics of change are so fast. The dynamics of change are created from issues such as
globalization, regionalization, knowledge economy, and borderless world. Another problem
with our leadership is that it is less assertive in leading so that people become confused with
the developing leadership pattern. Coupled with the political spices of imaging that are the
foundation for acting. So that if the problem arises requires a very long time to be
immediately anticipated and addressed. Other things that also began to develop were the
paradigm of thinking about a leader. The tendency that occurs in our leadership pattern is to
think of themselves as "kings" who must be worshiped and adored. When leaders came to
visit the road blocks were carried out under the pretext of security which could be considered
too excessive.

In facing such a dynamic world situation, this nation must have a different perspective
on the type of leadership. Leaders in the future are not only leaders who are characteristic as
desired by their followers. But, a leader who applies the Qur'an and Hadith in every
leadership and has a noble character like the Prophet. And the noble character of the Prophet,
namely:

1. Knowledgeable, creative, initiative, sensitive, spacious, always responsive. This is

explained in the letter al-Mujadalah verse: 11
 Meaning:
"O you who believe if you are told to you," Light in the assembly ", then
surely God will give space to you. and when it is said: "Stand ye up", then stand
up, surely Allah will exalt the believers among you and those who are given the
knowledge of some degree. and Allah knows what you do. "

2. Fair, honest and consistent. In the Nisa verse 58:

Meaning:
“Verily, Allah has commanded you to deliver the message to those who have
the right to receive it, and (tell you) if it establishes a law among men so that you
are just. Surely Allah gives you the best teaching. Allah is Hearing, Seeing.

3. Responsible. In Surat al-An'am verse 164

Meaning:
Say: "Will I seek God besides Allah, even though he is the Lord of all things.
And no one makes sin but his sacrifice returns to himself; and a sinner will not
bear the sins of others. Then to your Lord you will return, and will He preached to
you what you disputed. "
 4. Can maintain the trust and trust of others. In Surat al-Baqarah verse 166

Meaning:
Is when the people who followed were released from the people who followed
him, and they saw torture; and (when) all relations between them are completely
cut off.

5. Be sincere and have a spirit of service. In surat al-baqarah verse 245

Meaning :
“Who wants to lend to God, a good loan (spend his wealth in the way of
Allah), then Allah will double the payment to him with multiple multiples. and
God narrows and makes it easier for you to return.”

Of the many leaders or leadership concepts, it all boils down to the character or nature
of the leader that is absolutely necessary for everyone who becomes a leader. Character or
character is formed through a long process with leadership practices in an atmosphere and
times that are all difficult, full of pressure and challenges, and tested to face various kinds of
problems. so it is not surprising that we gave birth to great leaders in the era of the
Independence Struggle, because they were tested with various challenges and pressures, such
as Soekarno, Hatta, Syahrir, Natsir, Tan Malaka and so on

Donald H. Mc Gannon said that “leadership is an action, not a position.” This means
that because the position of the head of the organization is not necessarily a leader in the
organization, let alone an elitist and not down to earth organization, the chairman position can
be traded where the lead capability has not been tested but has capital (money / funds)
organization that is elitist or prestige. While the real leader (who moves the organization) is
another person who is behind the scenes by utilizing the chairman / person who is installed.
 And the fundamental weakness of Islamic leadership in Indonesia is that its leaders do
not work on populist and strategic issues, such as labor, labor, unemployment, poverty,
farmers, corruption, the environment, and so on. Even though this is a big problem in our
nation that requires concrete solution.

The biggest challenge for Islamic leadership is that its leaders maintain and uphold
Islamic values in organizations that can fight for aspirations related to Muslim communities
in Indonesia such as hajj, zakat, halal certification, education for madrasa students, pesantren,
religious teachers, and others -other. Moreover, solve the problems that exist in this nation
with concrete actions, ranging from poverty, unemployment, corruption carried out by
officials of this country, the environment, and others. Of course, by adhering to Islamic
values. So that public trust, especially the community.