Abdullah bin Hudhafa al-Sahmi, a noble companion, underwent a unique experience that can be described in modern terms as diplomacy with the two superpowers of his time. In the sixth year of the Hijra, he went as an envoy carrying the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 (may Allah be pleased with him), he was taken captive by the Romans and met their king, Heraclius, in a completely different situation, but he showed the same steadfastness.

Heraclius was a shrewd politician, seeking to understand the secret that transformed the Arabs from scattered tribes into a power unafraid of empires. He saw in Abdullah a living model to test the firmness of this faith. He began by tempting him, offering him to abandon Islam and convert to Christianity. Abdullah's response was decisive: 'If I were given all of Heraclius's kingdom and the entire Arab kingdom, I would not abandon the religion of Muhammad for the blink of an eye.'

Heraclius ordered his apparent execution, asking archers to shoot near him without hitting him to see the effect of fear on him, but Abdullah remained steadfast, not turning away. Then he was imprisoned, starved, and thirsted, and only pork and wine were offered to him to force him to violate his religion. He refused until he was on the verge of death.

Heraclius changed his approach, moving from intimidation to enticement. He offered him the finest food and drink, dressed him in luxurious clothes, so that he would become attached to comfort and then be deprived of it, bargaining over his religion. But Abdullah took only what was necessary, so the temptations failed. Then palace women in their adornment were sent to him, but he refused and remained chaste.

Some accounts mention that Heraclius went so far as to promise him half his kingdom, but Abdullah's response 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 to Christianity or death. They refused and were thrown into boiling oil until they were martyred. Abdullah wept, and they thought he was afraid, but he said he wished he had a thousand souls to sacrifice all for the sake of Allah.

Heraclius realized that killing him would not be a victory for him, so he sought a way out that preserved his dignity. He offered that Abdullah kiss his head in exchange for his release. Abdullah understood that this did not affect his faith, 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 the news reached Umar ibn al-Khattab, he kissed Abdullah's head and said: 'It is the duty of every Muslim to kiss his head, and I begin.'

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

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

The leader represents a complete system in his words, appearance, and behaviors. Umar al-Farouq asked Abdullah: 'May Allah have mercy on you, what prevented you, when you reached such hardship, from eating pork and drinking wine?' Abdullah replied: 'By Allah, 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 opposite party's perspective. In negotiation, it is essential to know the needs and circumstances of the other side. Abdullah understood Heraclius's need for a moral victory that preserved his dignity and status among his people, and the kissing of the head was that moral victory he granted him in exchange for the release of all Muslim captives.

Even the strongest leaders experience moments of weakness. When Abdullah wept out of fear of Allah at the sight of the bodies of the two Muslim captives disintegrating in boiling water, he knew he might be misunderstood and the Roman soldiers might think he was scared or cowardly. But even the strongest leaders are human, experiencing moments of turmoil and anxiety, yet 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 (may Allah be pleased with him) is what gave the story its meaning in terms of understanding the circumstances and conditions. It was not an emotional decision that viewed kissing the Roman king's head as weakness or concession. Thus, it is important to give appreciation and thanks to everyone regardless of their leadership rank.

Building leaders takes time. About twenty years passed between Abdullah's meeting with Khosrow and Caesar, during which he graduated from the leadership university of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). Therefore, whoever wants to build leaders must be patient and endure, for it is a long but fruitful and successful path, Allah willing.

In conclusion, by Allah's wisdom, my workplace in Riyadh is on Abdullah bin 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 Allah be pleased with him)?