Abdullah ibn Hudhafa al-Sahmi, a noble companion, underwent a unique experience that could be described in modern terms as diplomacy with the two superpowers of his time. In the sixth year after the Hijrah, he went as an envoy carrying the Prophet Muhammad's message to Khosrow, the king of Persia, after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Then, years later, between 19 and 21 AH during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, he was taken captive by the Romans and met their king, Heraclius, in an entirely different situation, yet he showed the same steadfastness.

Heraclius was a shrewd politician seeking to understand the secret that had transformed the Arabs from scattered tribes into a force unafraid of empires. He saw Abdullah as a living test case to examine the strength of this faith. He began by tempting him, offering conversion to Christianity, but Abdullah's reply was decisive: "If I were given the kingdom of Heraclius and all the Arabs combined, I would not abandon the religion of Muhammad even for the blink of an eye."

Heraclius ordered an apparent execution, asking archers to shoot near him without hitting him to see if fear would affect him. But Abdullah remained firm-hearted, not flinching. He was then imprisoned, starved, and thirsted, given only pork and wine to force him to violate his religion, but he refused until he was on the verge of death.

Heraclius changed his approach from intimidation to temptation: he offered the finest food and drink and dressed him in luxurious garments, so that he might become attached to pleasure, then be deprived of it and bargain away his faith. But Abdullah took only what he needed, so the enticements failed. Then palace women were sent to him in their finery, but he refused and remained chaste.

Some accounts mention that Heraclius went so far as to promise him half his kingdom, but Abdullah's answer was as firm as the first time. When the temptations failed, Heraclius returned to intimidation. Two Muslim captives were brought and given the choice between conversion or death; they refused and were thrown into boiling oil, becoming martyrs. Abdullah wept, and they thought he was afraid, but he said he wished he had a thousand souls to sacrifice for the sake of God.

Heraclius realized that killing him would not be a victory, so he sought a face-saving exit. He asked Abdullah to kiss his head in exchange for his release. Abdullah understood that this did not affect his creed, so he stipulated the release of all Muslim captives. Heraclius agreed. Abdullah kissed his head and was released along with the captives, returning victorious through his steadfastness and wisdom. When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard the news, he kissed Abdullah's head and said, "It is incumbent upon every Muslim to kiss his head, and I will start."

There are several leadership lessons inspired by the experience of the noble companion Abdullah al-Sahmi, including:

If there is a higher interest and a great beneficial outcome, it is permissible to concede in matters that do not conflict with your principles and values. It is wise to lose one small battle to win a great war.

A leader represents a complete system in his speech, appearance, and behavior. Umar al-Farooq asked Abdullah: "May God have mercy on you, what prevented you, when you were in such dire straits, from eating pork and drinking wine?" Abdullah replied: "By God, O Commander of the Faithful, I knew that it was permissible for me, but I disliked that the Romans and Heraclius would gloat over Islam and its people."

The importance of thinking from the other party's perspective. In negotiations, it is necessary to know the needs and circumstances of the other side. Abdullah understood Heraclius's need for a moral victory to preserve his prestige among his people, and the head kiss was that moral victory, which he granted in exchange for the release of all Muslim captives.

Even the strongest leaders experience moments of weakness. When Abdullah wept out of fear of God at the dissolving bodies of the two Muslim captives in boiling oil, he knew that it might be misunderstood and the Roman soldiers might think he was afraid or cowardly. But the strongest leaders remain human, subject to moments of anxiety and worry; what distinguishes them is the ability to maintain composure and psychological resilience and to come back stronger.

The necessity of appreciation from top management. The stance of Umar ibn al-Khattab gave the story its meaning in terms of understanding the circumstances and context; it was not an emotional decision viewing the kiss of the Roman king as weakness or concession. Thus, it is important to give appreciation and thanks to everyone, regardless of their leadership rank.

Leadership development takes time. About twenty years passed between Abdullah's meeting with Khosrow and Caesar, during which he graduated from the leadership university of the Prophet Muhammad and his two successors, Abu Bakr and Umar. Therefore, whoever wants to develop leaders must be patient and persevere, for it is a long but fruitful and successful path, God willing.

Finally, by God's wisdom, my workplace in Riyadh is on Abdullah ibn Hudhafa al-Sahmi Street, and every day I ask myself: What have I contributed to help build a generation of leaders who create a beneficial impact, like the noble companion Abdullah al-Sahmi, may God be pleased with him?