Sunan Abu Dawud #2940

Tribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai' Wal-Imarah)
Hasan

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ بْنِ سُفْيَانَ، وَسَلَمَةُ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ إِنِّي إِنْ لاَ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ يَسْتَخْلِفْ وَإِنْ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَإِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ قَدِ اسْتَخْلَفَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ ذَكَرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ فَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَعْدِلُ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحَدًا وَأَنَّهُ غَيْرُ مُسْتَخْلِفٍ ‏.‏
'Umar said: I shall not appoint a successor, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not appoint a successor. If I appoint a successor (I can do so), for Abu Bakr had appointed a successor. He Ibn 'Umar) said: I swear by Allah, he did not mention (anyone) but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr. So I learnt he would not equate anyone with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), for he did not appoint any successor.
Narrated by Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

Context

In this narration, Umar ibn al-Khattab discusses the issue of succession after his leadership. He reflects on the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr, indicating his understanding of leadership dynamics and the weight of responsibility. The takeaway is the importance of careful consideration in leadership roles and the legacy left by predecessors.

Modern Application

Today, this principle can be seen in organizational leadership and governance, where leaders are encouraged to reflect on the practices of their predecessors. Thoughtful succession planning and mentorship can help ensure continuity and stability in any organization.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Community and Leadership and Authority because it addresses the responsibilities of leaders within a community and the significance of their decisions on future generations.

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لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."
وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَآ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًۭا ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍۢ
But if Allah had willed, they would not have associated. And We have not appointed you over them as a guardian, nor are you a manager over them.
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قَالَ فَإِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَنِى فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِى عَن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًۭا
He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention."
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وَقَاسَمَهُمَآ إِنِّى لَكُمَا لَمِنَ ٱلنَّٰصِحِينَ
And he swore [by Allah] to them, "Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors."
سُورَةُ مَرۡيَمَ
Maryam (Mary)
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وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا
And indeed, I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir

Common Words

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #2940 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Tribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai' Wal-Imarah). It is graded Hasan and narrated by Narrated Ibn 'Umar:.

About This Hadith