Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
— [Surat al-Ahzab, 33:21]
It is therefore clear that the key model of example (qudwah) for all humanity is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. What he brought of divine law constitutes a universal system for all humankind—not only for Muslims. His message is the final and all-encompassing revelation, dominant over all previous religions and messages. Hence, it serves as the universal example for all mankind, while also being the primary source and foundation for all other forms of role models.
In other words, as faith increases, the light within the heart grows stronger, guiding its possessor toward righteous examples among the believers around him—for souls are like gathered armies. As stated in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):
“The souls are troops collected together; those who got along with each other (in the world of souls) will have an affinity with one another (in this world), and those who opposed each other will also be in opposition here.”
— [Narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 3336; Muslim, no. 2638]
This spiritual light also guides the believer toward other sources of example, such as the media and institutions, and so forth.
From this, we understand the impact of the general example and the specific example. Yet it remains to explain the types and effects of role models in shaping a Muslim’s work and life structure. Islam has laid down a comprehensive methodology for human activity that extends from the individual to the collective level, and ultimately to the entire Ummah.
Thus, the forms of role models can be divided according to this structure:
The example at the individual level.
The example at the community level.
The example at the state level.
The example at the national level (within one Muslim country).
The example at the Ummah (global Islamic) level.
1. The Individual Level
At the personal level, faith itself is the guiding principle. As previously mentioned, the Prophet ﷺ is the ultimate example, and through faith, each believer shapes his own character in light of his model.
2. The Community Level
At this level, the community must take the early Muslim community (the Sahabah) and the Prophet ﷺ as their role model—observing how they worked, resolved disagreements, and built the first organized Islamic society. This reflects faith at the community level, as emphasized throughout the Qur’an in the address:
“O you who have believed…” [e.g., Al-Baqarah: 104]
3. The State Level
The model at the state level arises naturally from the community, for there can be no state without a community, nor a community without individuals. Thus, the first feature of an exemplary Islamic state is the righteousness and faith of its governing body and its people.
When these qualities are fulfilled, the state becomes a model nation for the Muslim world—a leading example toward empowerment and reform. One of the key signs of such a state is its Islamic constitution and clear Islamic identity, which it upholds publicly and fearlessly. This corresponds to what the Qur’an calls manifestation and dominance, as in the verse:
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion, even though the polytheists dislike it.”
— [At-Tawbah, 9:33]
Such a state strengthens its citizens’ adherence to faith and becomes a beacon of guidance both internally and externally—an embodiment of faith at the state level.
4. The Ummah Level
At the level of the entire Muslim Ummah, the true example lies in unity, as Allah says:
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
— [Āl ʿImrān, 3:103]
This unity is part of Allah’s promise of future empowerment:
“Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the land as He granted it to those before them, and that He will establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will replace their fear with security—they worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that, then those are the defiantly disobedient.”
— [An-Nūr, 24:55]
In summary, these are the types of role models (qudwah) according to the Islamic framework of action under the Prophet’s universal message ﷺ. This comprehensive concept is what is known as faith-based following (al-ittibāʿ al-īmānī)—for example and following are inseparable.
Main Characteristics of Faith-Based Following
It is bodily following inspired by a heart that leads by faith—a heart that has itself become a model for the believer’s limbs and actions.
It is a thought that transcends individual piety to collective reform—from personal righteousness to communal reformation.
It is self-driven following, where the believer’s heart and its divine light directly guide his actions in the world.
Mechanisms to Achieve True Role Models and Following
Public and private institutions should establish mechanisms for cooperation to spread positive examples across all sectors of society.
The family should be trained to raise children upon sound role models and religious and moral values.
The surrounding environment—including media, technology, institutions, and people—should constantly present examples of righteousness, advice, and moral correction, fulfilling Allah’s command:
“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.”
— [Āl ʿImrān, 3:104]
