Today a man came to me and asked me a question which I did not know how to answer. He said, "Tell
me, if a wealthy active man, well-equipped with arms, goes out on military expeditions with our
chiefs, and orders us to do such things as we cannot do (should we obey him?)" I replied, "By Allah, I
do not know what to reply you, except that we, were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and he used to
order us to do a thing once only till we finished it. And no doubt, everyone among you will remain in
a good state as long as he obeys Allah. If one is in doubt as to the legality of something, he should ask
somebody who would satisfy him, but soon will come a time when you will not find such a man. By
Him, except Whom none has the right to be worshipped. I see that the example of what has passed of
this life (to what remains thereof) is like a pond whose fresh water has been used up and nothing
remains but muddy water."
Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:
Context
In this hadith, `Abdullah recounts a moment when a man approached him with a question about obedience to authority during military expeditions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of following Allah's commands and the significance of seeking knowledge when in doubt. He highlighted that true goodness comes from obedience to Allah, and warned that there will come a time when guidance may be hard to find. The hadith serves as a reminder of the transient nature of worldly life compared to the Hereafter.
Modern Application
In today's world, this hadith encourages individuals to seek guidance and clarity when faced with uncertainty, especially in leadership situations. It highlights the importance of adhering to ethical principles and maintaining a connection with one's faith, even when challenged by authority or societal pressures.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Leadership and Authority and Obedience to Allah because it discusses the dynamics of following authority while emphasizing the necessity of obedience to divine commands.
Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification."
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakah"? But then when fighting was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allah or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah. And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
He said, "Knowledge [of its time] is only with Allah, and I convey to you that with which I was sent; but I see you [to be] a people behaving ignorantly."
This hadith is #2843 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:.
