Sunan Abu Dawud #2949

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

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

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَنَّ الْقَاسِمَ بْنَ مُخَيْمِرَةَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا مَرْيَمَ الأَزْدِيَّ أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ مَا أَنْعَمَنَا بِكَ أَبَا فُلاَنٍ ‏.‏ وَهِيَ كَلِمَةٌ تَقُولُهَا الْعَرَبُ فَقُلْتُ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُهُ أُخْبِرُكَ بِهِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ مَنْ وَلاَّهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَاحْتَجَبَ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِمْ وَخَلَّتِهِمْ وَفَقْرِهِمُ احْتَجَبَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِ وَخَلَّتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ رَجُلاً عَلَى حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ ‏.‏
When I entered upon Mu'awiyah, he said: How good your visit is to us, O father of so-and-so. (This is an idiom used by the Arabs on such occasions). I said: I tell you a tradition which I heard (from the Prophet). I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If Allah puts anyone in the position of authority over the affairs of the Muslims, and he secludes himself (from them), not fulfilling their needs, wants, and poverty, Allah will keep Himself away from him, not fulfilling his need, want and poverty. He said: He (Mu'awiyah) appointed a man to fulfil the needs of the people.
Narrated by Narrated AbuMaryam al-Azdi:

Context

In this narration, AbuMaryam al-Azdi recounts a teaching from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding the responsibilities of leadership. The Prophet ﷺ warns that those in positions of authority who neglect the needs of their community will find themselves distanced from Allah's mercy. This serves as a reminder of the ethical obligations leaders have towards their constituents.

Modern Application

This principle is relevant today, as it highlights the importance of leaders being accessible and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. It encourages leaders to prioritize community welfare and to remain engaged with their constituents.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Leadership and Authority and Community Responsibility because it emphasizes the ethical duties of leaders to serve their communities.

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Common Words

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #2949 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Tribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai' Wal-Imarah). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated AbuMaryam al-Azdi:.

About This Hadith