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Hadith about the duties of the ruler

Duties of the Imam

135 hadith on this topic, one card per hadith and its versions; authentic ones first. 102 are translated into English.

Not graded The Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 7

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The deen (religion) is naseehah (advice, sincerity).” We said, “To whom?” He (ﷺ) said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” [Muslim]

عَنْ أَبِي رُقَيَّةَ تَمِيمِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ الدَّارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: "الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ." قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: "لِلَّهِ، وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلِرَسُولِهِ، وَلِأَئِمَّةِ…

Narrated by Tamīm ad-Dāri + 9 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 188

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You will have rulers some of whom you approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who dislikes them will be safe, and he who expresses disapproval will be safe, but he who is pleased and follows them (will be indeed sinful)". His audience asked: "Shall we not fight…

الخامس‏:‏ عن أم المؤمنين أم سلمة هند بنت أبي أمية حذيفة رضي الله عنها، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ إنه يستعمل عليكم أمراءُ فتعرفون وتنكرون فمن كره فقد برئ، ومن أنكر فقد سلم، ولكن من رضي وتابع” قالوا‏:‏ يا…

Narrated by Umm Salamah + 9 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 644

I was walking with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very thick border when a bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The bedouin said…

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كنت أمشى مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وعليه برد نجرانى غليظ الحاشية، فأدركه أعرابى، فجبذه بردائه جبذة شديدة، فنظرت إلى صفحة عاتق النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، وقد أثرت بها حاشية البرد من شدة…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 9 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Bulugh al-Maram 1209b

'Umar bin al-Khattab (RAA) narrated that he addressed the people and said, 'Verily Allah has sent Muhammad with the Truth and sent down the Book to him, and the verse of stoning was included in what Allah sent down. We recited, memorized and comprehended it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) accordingly…

وَعَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ اَلْخَطَّابِ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- { أَنَّهُ خَطَبَ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ اَللَّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا بِالْحَقِّ, وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ اَلْكِتَابَ, فَكَانَ فِيمَا أَنْزَلَ اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ آيَةُ اَلرَّجْمِ.‏…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 17 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 690

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "When the revenues of Bahrain will arrive, I shall give you such and such and such." He passed away before the revenues were received. When they arrive during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), he ordered to be announced: "Anyone whom Messenger of…

"‏لو قد جاء مال البحرين أعطيتك هكذا وهكذا وهكذا‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 7 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 654

I heard the the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating in my house: "O Allah! Treat harshly those who rule over my Ummah with harshness, and treat gently those who rule over my Ummah with gentleness." [Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول في بيتى هذا‏:‏ “اللهم من ولى من أمر أمتى شيئاً فشق عليهم، فاشقق عليه ومن ولى من أمر أمتى شيئاً، فرفق بهم، فارفق به” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 6 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 660

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best of your rulers are those whom you love and who love you, and those who supplicate Allah in your favour and you supplicate Allah in their favour. The worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and who hate you; and whom you curse and who curse you." It was…

وعن عوف بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “خياركم أئمتكم الذين تحبونهم ويحبونكم، وتصلون عليهم ويصلون عليكم، وشرار أئمتكم الذين تبغضونهم ويبغضونكم، وتلعنونهم ويلعنونهم‏!‏” قال‏:‏ قلنا…

Narrated by Awf ibn Mālik + 6 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 1505

The inhabitants of Kufah complained to 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) against Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) and 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) appointed 'Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) as Governor of Kufah in his place. Their complaint was that he did not…

وعن جابر بن سَمُرة، رضي الله عنهما، قال‏:‏ شكا أهل الكوفة سعدًا، يعني‏:‏ ابن أبي وقاص، رضي الله عنه الله عنه، إلى عمر بن الخطاب، رضي الله عنه، فعزله واستعمل عليهم عمارًا، فشكوا حتى ذكروا أنه لا يحسن يصلي، فأرسل إليه…

+ 5 other versions

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Riyad as-Salihin 51

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You will see after me favouritism and things which you will disapprove of." They submitted: "What do you order us to do (under such circumstances)?" He replied, "Discharge your obligations and ask your rights from Allah". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏ إنها ستكون بعدي أثرة وأمور تنكرونها ‏!‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله فما تأمرنا‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ تؤدون الحق الذى عليكم ، وتسألون الله الذى لكم‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd + 4 other versions

Not graded Hadith qudsi Riyad as-Salihin 357

'Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Al-Hurr bin Qais who was among those who were close to 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) and had access to his council. The scholarly persons, whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining his council and he used to…

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قدم عيينة بن حصن، فنزل على ابن أخيه الحر بن قيس، وكان من النفر الذين يدنيهم عمر رضي الله عنه ، وكان القراء أصحاب مجلس عمر ومشاورته، كهولاً كانوا أو شبانًا ، فقال عيينة لابن أخيه‏:‏ يا…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 3 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 192

'Aidh bin 'Amr (the Companion) (May Allah be pleased with him) visited 'Ubaidullah bin Ziyad (the ruler) and said to him: "Son, I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, 'The worst shepherds (rulers) are those who deal harshly in respect of supervision. Beware, Don't be one of them!"' Ibn Ziyad said…

التاسع‏:‏ عن أبي سعيد الحسن البصري أن عائذ بن عمرو رضي الله عنه دخل على عبيد الله بن زياد فقال‏:‏ أي بني، إني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏إن شر الرعاء الحطمة” فإياك أن تكون منهم‏.‏ فقال له ‏:‏ اجلس…

+ 3 other versions

Not graded Bulugh al-Maram 604

“For every forty camels, one ‘bint labun’ (a young female camel which is two years old and already starting the third year), is due as Zakah. No camel is to be separated from the rest of the camels (i.e. the jointly owned live stock as mentioned above). Whoever gives it willingly, seeking his…

وَعَنْ بَهْزِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ, عَنْ أَبِيهِ, عَنْ جَدِّهِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-{ فِي كُلِّ سَائِمَةِ إِبِلٍ: فِي أَرْبَعِينَ بِنْتُ لَبُونٍ, لَا تُفَرَّقُ إِبِلٌ عَنْ حِسَابِهَا, مَنْ…

+ 7 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 679

I called on the Prophet (ﷺ) with two of my cousins. One of them said to him: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), appoint me governor of some land over which Allah has given you authority." The other also requested for something of the same nature. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Allah we do not appoint…

-عن أبى موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ دخلت على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أنا ورجلان من بني عمي، فقال أحدهما‏:‏ يا رسول الله أمرنا على بعض ما ولاك الله، عز وجل، وقال الآخر مثل ذلك، فقال‏:‏ “إنا والله لا نولى هذا العمل…

+ 2 other versions

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 594

'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) fixed the payment amounting to four thousand dirhams for each of the early Emigrants, but for his son, he fixed only three thousand five hundred. He was asked: "He is also an (early) Emigrant, why have you fixed a lesser sum for him?" He said…

وعن نافع أن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه كان فرض للمهاجرين الأولين أربعة آلاف وفرض لابنه ثلاثة آلاف وخمسمائة، فقيل له‏:‏ هو من المهاجرين فلم نقصته‏؟‏ فقال‏:‏ إنما هاجر به أبوه، يقول‏:‏ ليس هو كمن هاجر بنفسه” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 1 other version

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 657

I said to Mu'awiyah (bin Abu Sufyan) (May Allah be pleased with them): I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "If Allah invests to someone the affairs of the Muslims and he (i.e., the ruler) ignores their rights, denies their access to him and neglects their needs, Allah will not answer his prayer…

وعن أبى مريم الأزدى رضي الله عنه أنه قال لمعاوية رضي الله عنه سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “من ولاه الله شيئاً من أمور المسلمين، فاحتجب دون حاجتهم وخلتهم وفقرهم، احتجب الله دون حاجته وخلته وفقره يوم…

Narrated by Abu Maryam al-Azdī + 3 other versions

Not graded Bulugh al-Maram 1418

He addressed the people and said, "People were sometimes judged by the revealing of a Divine Revelation during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), but now the Divine Revelation has been discontinued [i.e. there is no longer any new revelation coming]. Now we judge you by the deeds you practice…

وَعَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ اَلْخَطَّابِ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- { أَنَّهُ خَطَبَ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أُنَاسً ا 1‏ كَانُوا يُؤْخَذُونَ بِالْوَحْيِ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-وَإِنَّ اَلْوَحْيَ قَدْ اِنْقَطَعَ…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 2 other versions

Not graded Mishkat al-Masabih 3697

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who has been ruler over ten people will be brought on the day of resurrection shackled till justice loosens his chains or tyranny brings him to destruction.”* Darimi transmitted it. *The reference is to the justice or tyranny he has displayed in…

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا مِنْ أَمِيرِ عَشرَةٍ إِلا يُؤتى بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْلُولًا حَتَّى يُفَكَّ عَنْهُ الْعَدْلُ أَو يوبقه الْجور»…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6923

We will not appoint for our affairs anyone who seeks that position. But O Abu Mūsa! You go to Yemen

Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) along with two men (from the tribe) of Ash‘ariyyīn, one on my right and the other on my left, while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was…

أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَعِي رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الأَشْعَرِيِّينَ، أَحَدُهُمَا عَنْ يَمِينِي، وَالآخَرُ عَنْ يَسَارِي وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْتَاكُ فَكِلاَهُمَا سَأَلَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ…

Narrated by Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari + 7 other versions Explained

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6979

By Allah, no one of you takes anything unlawfully except that he will meet Allah carrying it on the Day of Judgment

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) appointed a man named Ibn al-Lutbiyyah, to collect the charity of Banu Sulaym. When the man returned, he held him accountable. he said: This is your wealth, and this is a gift. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and…

فَهَلاَّ جَلَسْتَ فِي بَيْتِ أَبِيكَ وَأُمِّكَ، حَتَّى تَأْتِيَكَ هَدِيَّتُكَ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقًا ‏"‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ خَطَبَنَا فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنِّي أَسْتَعْمِلُ…

Narrated by Abu Humayd as-Sā‘idī + 2 other versions Explained

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 2554

Every one of you is a guardian and responsible for his subjects

"Every one of you is a guardian and responsible for his subjects. The leader in charge of the people is a guardian and is responsible for them; the man is a guardian over his household and is responsible for them; the woman is a guardian over her husband's house and his children and is responsible…

كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ فَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَالأَمِيرُ الَّذِي عَلَى النَّاسِ رَاعٍ وَهْوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ، وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَهْوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ عَلَى بَيْتِ…

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd Explained

Authentic Sunan Abu Dawud 431

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked me: 'How will you act, Abu Dharr, when you are under rulers who kill prayer or delay it (beyond its proper time) ?' I said: 'Messenger of Allah, what do you command me ?' He replied: 'Offer the prayer at its proper time, and if you say it along with them, say it…

صَلِّ الصَّلاَةَ لِوَقْتِهَا فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتَهَا مَعَهُمْ فَصَلِّهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَكَ نَافِلَةٌ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Dharr + 2 other versions

Authentic Sunan Abu Dawud 2945

Al-Mustawrid heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: He who acts as an employee for us must get a wife; if he has not a servant, he must get one, and if he has not a dwelling, he must get one. He said that Abu Bakr reported: I was told that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who takes anything else he is unfaithful or…

مَنْ كَانَ لَنَا عَامِلاً فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ زَوْجَةً فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ خَادِمٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ خَادِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَسْكَنٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ مَسْكَنًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أُخْبِرْتُ أَنَّ…

Narrated by Al-Mustawrid ibn Shaddād + 1 other version

Differing grades Sunan Abu Dawud 1625

Ziyad, or some other governor, sent Imran ibn Husayn to collect sadaqah (i.e. zakat). When he returned, he asked Imran: Where is the property? He replied: Did you send me to bring the property? We collected it from where we used to collect in the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we spent…

بَعَثَ عِمْرَانَ بْنَ حُصَيْنٍ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ قَالَ لِعِمْرَانَ أَيْنَ الْمَالُ قَالَ وَلِلْمَالِ أَرْسَلْتَنِي أَخَذْنَاهَا مِنْ حَيْثُ كُنَّا نَأْخُذُهَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه…

Narrated by Imrān ibn Husayn

Differing grades of the chain Sunan Abu Dawud 3576

"If any do fail to judge (by the light of) what Allah has revealed, they are (no better than) unbelievers" up to "wrongdoers." These three verses were revealed about the Jews, particularly about Quraizah and al-Nadir.

الْفَاسِقُونَ ‏}‏ هَؤُلاَءِ الآيَاتُ الثَّلاَثُ نَزَلَتْ فِي الْيَهُودِ خَاصَّةً فِي قُرَيْظَةَ وَالنَّضِيرِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 1 جمادى الآخرة 1448 هـ