Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Sahih
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُغِيرَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " النَّاسُ تَبَعٌ لِقُرَيْشٍ فِي هَذَا الشَّأْنِ، مُسْلِمُهُمْ تَبَعٌ لِمُسْلِمِهِمْ، وَكَافِرُهُمْ تَبَعٌ لِكَافِرِهِمْ ".
"وَالنَّاسُ مَعَادِنُ، خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ إِذَا فَقِهُوا، تَجِدُونَ مِنْ خَيْرِ النَّاسِ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ كَرَاهِيَةً لِهَذَا الشَّأْنِ حَتَّى يَقَعَ فِيهِ."
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The tribe of Quraish has precedence over the people in this connection (i.e the right
of ruling). The Muslims follow the Muslims amongst them, and the infidels follow the infidels
amongst them. People are of different natures: The best amongst them in the pre-lslamic period are the
best in Islam provided they comprehend the religious knowledge. You will find that the best amongst
the people in this respect (i.e. of ruling) is he who hates it (i.e. the idea of ruling) most, till he is given
the pledge of allegiance."
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke about the tribe of Quraish, emphasizing their significance in leadership and authority. He noted that Muslims and non-Muslims alike would follow their respective leaders from this tribe. Furthermore, he remarked on the nature of people, stating that those who were the best in the pre-Islamic era would also excel in Islam if they pursued knowledge, particularly in leadership roles.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a reminder that leadership should be approached with humility and a sense of responsibility. In contemporary settings, aspiring leaders can reflect on their motivations and strive to lead with integrity and a commitment to the community's welfare.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Leadership and Authority because it discusses the dynamics of leadership within the community and the qualities that make effective leaders.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."
Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.
It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a massacre [upon Allah 's enemies] in the land. Some Muslims desire the commodities of this world, but Allah desires [for you] the Hereafter. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
This hadith is #3347 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.