Moral Authority
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Moral authority is achieved through humility, service, and sacrifice rather than through power, control or formal position. It is primary greatness that comes from strong character and principles rather than secondary attributes. While formal authority has its place, especially in times of chaos, relying on it lessens one's moral authority. True influence and leadership is gained by borrowing strength from others rather than one's own position.
![So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with
them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they
would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask
forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when
you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those
who rely [upon Him].
Al-i-Imran:159](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/presentation-104822-120504035411-phpapp02/85/Moral-Authority-2-320.jpg)
Moral Authority
- 2. So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. Al-i-Imran:159
- 3. Moral authority is primary greatness (character strengths); formal authority is secondary greatness (position, wealth, talent, reputation, popularity). The interesting thing about Moral authority is what a paradox it is. The dictionary discusses authority in terms of command, control, power, sway, rule, supremacy, domination, dominion, strength, might. But the antonym is civility, servitude, weakness, follower. Moral authority is the gaining of influence through following principles.
- 4. Moral dominion is achieved through servanthood, service, and contribution. Power and moral supremacy emerge from humility, where the greatest becomes the servant of all. Moral authority or primary greatness is achieved through sacrifice.
- 5. There are times of great chaos, confusion and survival when the strong hand of formal authority needs to be used to get things back on track, to a new level of order and stability or to a new vision. However, in most cases when people use their formal authority early on, their moral authority will be lessened.
- 6. Remember that when you borrow strength from position, you build weakness in three places: • in self, because you are not developing moral authority. • in the other, because they become codependent with your use of formal authority • in the quality of the relationship, because authentic openness and trust never develops.