Lessons from my father: Sheikh Mohammed's tribute to Sheikh Rashid

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today shared a deeply personal tribute to his father, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, offering rare insight into the values, character, and quiet strength that shaped a leader and inspired a generation.

In a moving message posted on his official social media platform X, on the occasion of Father’s Day, Sheikh Mohammed said that his father embodied wisdom, humility, and self-discipline, virtues that left a lasting imprint on his own life and leadership. 

The tribute is featured in the ninth chapter of Sheikh Mohammed’s forthcoming book, “Life Taught Me,” set for publication in the coming months, which recounts the life lessons instilled by his father, lessons shaped by humility, wisdom, and moral strength.

Sheikh Mohammed’s full message on Father’s Day reads: “May God have mercy on my father. Whenever I think about my father's wisdom and insight... his life and his journey... I realize how much I learned from him and how much his personality influenced me.

I learned from my father the simplicity of life, self-control, not to be distracted by trivialities, and not to believe the weak-minded and the frivolous.

I learned from him to listen, when to be strict and when to be lenient. I learned from him to be dignified without pretension, to be tolerant of ignorant people, and to be kind to everyone.

His mere presence commanded respect from everyone...

My father was rarely angry or emotional. He was well-intentioned and gentle, and he did not like deception. He did not panic or fear anything, but was steadfast, confident, and calm. When he expressed his approval, he did so in moderation and without favoritism.

I learned from my father to love my family, my relatives, and my brothers, and to be close to my sisters, and I still do.

I learned from him to love honesty and justice. I learned from him to accept criticism and to have self-confidence, and to strike a balance between kindness toward people and the dignity and firmness that my position requires.

I learned from my father not to dwell on mistakes, not to look for people's slip-ups, to overlook things sometimes, and to gently draw attention to them at other times, especially with those whose sincerity, love, and dedication to their work I was sure of.

My father was calm and firm. He was not swayed by praise or cheering, nor was he fooled by flattery. He was not deceived by media labels or illogical exaggerations.
He did not take the first impression of any subject at face value, but rather pondered and reflected on it.

He would consult and ask questions.

I learned from him to listen to anyone with sound judgment or a rational mind.
My father loved scholars, but he could easily spot those who pretended to be knowledgeable.

He enjoyed sitting with merchants and market people. He respected religious leaders and loved doing good deeds. He was forgiving, honest, and upright in his life.

He never looked down on anyone or acted superior to anyone. He observed people and young people, supported those with commercial talent, and sought the help of those he saw as having administrative abilities.

He was far-sighted and thorough in his research on all matters. He did not like to rush, but when he made up his mind about something, he did not hesitate, doubt, or get confused when making a decision.

He was attentive to his friends. He was cheerful with them and easygoing in conversation... However, he did not mix the private with the public.

He did not favor his friends by assigning them government responsibilities, nor did he befriend those who worked with him as officials.

Rather, he kept a distance between them and himself, which was characterized by trust, respect, and accountability.

My father was not harsh or violent, but friendly, tolerant, generous, giving everyone their due, and devoting part of his time to each person.

My father did not like to eat a lot, talk a lot, or have a lot of buildings and palaces, but rather tended toward simplicity, modesty, and self-control.

His Highness concluded his message with a heartfelt prayer: “May God have mercy on my father.”