Directing is the part of managerial function which actuates the organisational methods to work efficiently for the achievement of organisational purposes. It is considered the life-spark of the enterprise which sets in motion the action of people because planning, organising and staffing are the mere preparations for doing the work. Direction is that inter-personnel aspect of management which deals directly with influencing, guiding, supervising, motivating sub-ordinates for the achievement of organisational goals. It is a basic management function that includes building an effective work culture and creating opportunity for motivation, supervising, scheduling, and disciplining. Direction basically involves supervision, motivation, leadership and communication.
Man needs direction. If he does not get the right guidance, he tends to go in the direction he likes. Thus, in order to guide the people to the straight path, Allah revealed the Qur’ān for people to follow, which would rightly direct them to every aspect of life. It teaches us how do supplicate, how to behave with people, how to become a better human being, etc. We celebrate the month of Ramadan by fasting because of our happiness of the Qur’ān being revealed for us, because of obtaining the guidance from Allah. In the first chapter of the Qur’ān itself Allah teaches people to seek His help and guidance to be directed to the straight path: “Guide us to the straight path” (Qur’ān 1:6).
The Qur’ān directs man in various aspects of life. It gives direction on how to supplicate to Allah in 2:286; it directs man to be dutiful to parents in 2:83; it directs to be kind to relatives in 16:90; it directs on how to treat the orphans kindly in 4:2; it directs people on etiquette in 24:27-28; it directs us to keep up our promises in 5:1; it directs us to be honest in 17:35; it directs us to be kind in 28:77; it directs us to be just in 16:90; it directs us not to indulge in backbiting in 49:12; it directs us not to extravagantly spend money in 17:26; it directs us not to lie in 24:7; it directs us not to be arrogant in 17:37; it directs us not to indulge in interest in 5:90; etc. Thus, we can understand that the Book directs us in various aspects of our life.
It is important to know from whom we can take directions. Allah says, “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (Qur’ān 4:59) The ayat commands the people to first obey and follow the directions of Allah, then the Messenger and finally the people who are in authority.
Allah says, “And the straight path reaches Allah, and there are some other paths that are not straight….” (Qur’ān 16:9) The ayat states that the direction of belief and virtuous acts is the only straight path leading to Allah. Man can reach Allah by following this path only and can thus seek His pleasure. Conventionally it is called Islam, towards which the Qur’ān directs everyone. Apart from Tawheed or monotheism, which is the path of Islam, no other path is straight; all other paths are tortuous, and they do not lead up to God.
If one has strong intention to walk on the right path then Allah will guide them. Allah says, “And when he directed himself towards Madyan, he said, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way.” (Qur’ān 28:22) When Moosa turned towards Madyan, he could not get the time to make preparations for this journey, nor could he get any information about the paths he would have to traverse, he had set out putting his trust in Allah, and had prayed to Him to guide him to the right path. Allah blessed him with his favour, and he reached Madyan directly, and further the path of guidance went on becoming clearer to him.
Giving direction is a basic duty of every Muslim. As Allah says, “You are the best nation produced (as an example) for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong…” (Qur’ān 3:110). Thus, it is our basic duty to direct people to good things and to direct them to stop doing wrong acts. And it is this act of direction because of which we are given the title of the ‘best nation’.
Allah says, “…And have raised some of them above others in degree (of rank) that they may make use of one another for service….” (Qur’ān 43:32) When the point about ranks in difference of livelihood came up, its necessity has also been explained that it was necessary so that people may be able to take service from others. If people were given equal ranks and if all of them would have come with equal capability, then they would not have cared for one another and the human society would not have learnt to work on the basis of cooperation. Thus, we can understand that Allah has created the world in such a way that few people can direct other people in various aspects. Thus, Allah Himself created a platform for some people to direct the others.
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was a great director as he excelled in aspects relating to supervision, motivation, leadership and communication. One of the important tasks of a leader is to direct and the Messenger gave the best directions in various aspects of his life. Especially the direction of the Messenger helped the Muslims win many battles.
The last sermon of the Messenger, focused on giving direction to the people to carry forward the mission. The main task of all the Prophets who came on to his earth was to direct the people to the straight path. In the last sermon, he directed people to be trustworthy, to be accountable, not to deal with interest, to be kind to their wives, to observe the pillars of Islam, to be mindful of those working under us, to beware of Satan, to obey Allah and His messenger, etc. After giving them all the guidelines, he asked the people to pass on the message to others.
On one end when Allah is directing mankind through the Qur’ān and Prophet Muhammad is directing us through his teachings, on the other hand Satan is striving hard to direct mankind to the wrong path. As Allah says, “Then Satan whispered to him; he said, “O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?” (Qur’ān 20:120) Thus, we also need to strive not to follow the footsteps of Satan.
Direction is an important and integral part of human life. Directing is not only the task of the Prophets but the task of every Muslim to guide and direct the people to the straight path. Very few people in the world are given the authority to direct people. In Islam, a person should be given the authority to direct on the basis of his skill and knowledge and not on the basis of wealth, popularity or anything else.
[The writer is working as an Assistant Professor at Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore and currently perusing Ph.D in Marketing]