Sahih Muslim #4601

The Book on Government
Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ، أَنَّ عَائِذَ بْنَ عَمْرٍو، - وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - دَخَلَ عَلَى عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ فَقَالَ أَىْ بُنَىَّ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ شَرَّ الرِّعَاءِ الْحُطَمَةُ فَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهُ اجْلِسْ فَإِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مِنْ نُخَالَةِ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَقَالَ وَهَلْ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ نُخَالَةٌ إِنَّمَا كَانَتِ النُّخَالَةُ بَعْدَهُمْ وَفِي غَيْرِهِمْ ‏.‏
O my son, I have heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The worst of guardians is the cruel ruler. Beware of being one of them. Ubaidullah said (to him out of arrogance): Sit you down. You are from the chaff of the Companions of Muhammad (ﷺ). A'idh said: Was there worthless chaff among them? Such worthless chaff appeared after them and among other people.
Narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of Hasan that A'idh b. 'Amr who was one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called on 'Ubaidullah b. Ziyad and said (to him):

Context

This hadith narrates a statement made by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regarding the worst type of guardians, specifically cruel rulers. It serves as a cautionary message about the responsibilities of leadership and the moral obligations that come with authority. The Prophet's (ﷺ) words highlight the importance of just and compassionate leadership.

Modern Application

In contemporary society, this hadith encourages individuals in positions of authority to lead with fairness and compassion. It serves as a reminder that leadership comes with significant responsibilities and the need to prioritize the well-being of those under one's care.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Leadership and Authority and Community Responsibility because it addresses the moral obligations of leaders and the impact of their actions on the community.

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But one who says to his parents, "Uff to you; do you promise me that I will be brought forth [from the earth] when generations before me have already passed on [into oblivion]?" while they call to Allah for help [and to their son], "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth." But he says, "This is not but legends of the former people" -
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يَٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
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O mankind, fear your Lord and fear a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will a son avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."

Common Words

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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #4601 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book on Government. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It has been narrated on the authority of Hasan that A'idh b. 'Amr who was one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called on 'Ubaidullah b. Ziyad and said (to him):.

About This Hadith