باب أمر ولاة الأمور بالرفق برعاياهم ونصيحتهم والشفقة والنهى عن غشهم والتشديد عليهم وإهمال مصالحهم والغفلة عنهم وعن حوائجهم
This chapter is about authority as a trust. The long Arabic title centers on commanding those in charge to show rifq, gentleness, toward the people under them, to advise them sincerely, and to never deceive, oppress, or neglect their needs. Leadership here is weighed not by power held but by care given.
Notice the recurring word ra'in, a shepherd or guardian. Every person tends some flock, and the higher the trust, the heavier the account. The hadith move from the universal duty of every guardian, to grave warnings for rulers who betray their people, to a prayer that mirrors back on leaders the very treatment they give, to the believer's own duty to honor rights even under imperfect rulers.
Hadith 652
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “كلكم راع، وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته: الإمام راع ومسؤول عن رعيته، والرجل راع في أهله ومسؤول عن رعيته، والمرأة راعية في بيت زوجها ومسؤولة عن رعيتها، والخادم راع في مال سيده ومسؤول عن رعيته وكلكم راع ومسؤول عن رعيته” ((متفق عليه))
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian and responsible for his family; the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husbands house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Everyone is a guardian responsible for those in their care: a ruler over his people, a man over his family, a woman over her household. Each will answer for the trust placed in their hands.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 652 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 652
Hadith 653
Abu Ya'la Ma'qil bin Yasar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى يعلى معقل بن يسار رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: يقول: “ما من عبد يستر عليه الله رعية، يموت يوم يموت وهو غاش لرعيته، إلا حرم الله عليه الجنة” ((متفق عليه)) ((وفي رواية: "فلم يحطها بنصحه لم يجد رائحة الجنة")) وفي رواية لمسلم: "ما من أمير يلى أمور المسلمين، ثم لا يجهد لهم وينصح لهم، إلا لم يدخل معهم الجنة".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Any slave whom Allah makes him in charge of subjects and he dies while he is not sincere to them, Allah will make Jannah unlawful for him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Another narration is: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "He who does not look after his subjects with goodwill and sincerity, will be deprived of the fragrance of Jannah." A narration in Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A ruler who, having control over the affairs of the Muslims, does not strive diligently for their betterment and does not serve them sincerely, will not enter Jannah with them."
In plain words
A leader who dies having been insincere or neglectful toward the people under his charge faces severe loss. Authority over others is a heavy trust to discharge honestly.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 653 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 653
Hadith 654
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول في بيتى هذا: “اللهم من ولى من أمر أمتى شيئاً فشق عليهم، فاشقق عليه ومن ولى من أمر أمتى شيئاً، فرفق بهم، فارفق به” ((رواه مسلم)).
I heard the the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating in my house: "O Allah! Treat harshly those who rule over my Ummah with harshness, and treat gently those who rule over my Ummah with gentleness." [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet prayed that whoever rules his community harshly be treated harshly, and whoever rules gently be treated gently. Leaders are repaid in kind for how they treat people.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 654 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 654
Hadith 655
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "كانت بنو إسرائيل تسوسهم الأنبياء، كلما هلك نبى خلفه نبى، وإنه لا نبى بعدى وسيكون بعدى خلفاء فيكثرون” قالوا: يا رسول الله فما تأمرنا؟ قال: " أوفوا ببيعة الأول فالأول، ثم أعطوهم حقهم، واسألوا الله الذى لكم ، فإن الله سائلهم عما استرعاهم” ((متفق عليه))
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The Banu Isra'il were ruled by the Prophets. When one Prophet died, another succeeded him. There will be no Prophet after me. Caliphs will come after me, and they will be many." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?" He said, "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to which is sworn first (then swear allegiance to the others). Concede to them their due rights and ask Allah that which is due to you. Allah will call them to account in respect of the subjects whom He had entrusted to them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Foretelling many leaders to come, the Prophet advised honoring the first pledge given, giving rulers their due, and asking Allah for one's own rights, since Allah will hold leaders to account. Fulfill your duties and leave their reckoning to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 655 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 655
Hadith 656
'Aidh bin 'Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عائذ بن عمرو رضي الله عنه أنه دخل على عبيد الله بن زياد، فقال له: أى بنى، إنى سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “إن شر الرعاء الحطمة” فإياك أن تكون منهم. ((متفق عليه))
I visited 'Ubaidullah bin Ziyad and said to him: "Dear son, I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, 'The worst of rulers are those who treat their subjects harshly. Beware, lest you should be one of them."' [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
A Companion warned a governor with the Prophet's words that the worst rulers are those who treat their people harshly. Harsh leadership is a grave failing.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 656 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 656
Hadith 657
Abu Maryam Al-Azdi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى مريم الأزدى رضي الله عنه أنه قال لمعاوية رضي الله عنه سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “من ولاه الله شيئاً من أمور المسلمين، فاحتجب دون حاجتهم وخلتهم وفقرهم، احتجب الله دون حاجته وخلته وفقره يوم القيامة” فجعل معاوية رجلا على حوائج الناس. ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي)).
I said to Mu'awiyah (bin Abu Sufyan) (May Allah be pleased with them): I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "If Allah invests to someone the affairs of the Muslims and he (i.e., the ruler) ignores their rights, denies their access to him and neglects their needs, Allah will not answer his prayer or realize his hopes and will act towards him with indifference on the Day of Resurrection." So Mu'awiyah appointed a person to keep a vigil on the necessities of the people and to fulfill them. [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
A ruler who shuts people out and ignores their needs will find Allah ignoring his own pleas on the Day of Resurrection. Hearing this, the listener appointed someone to attend to people's needs. Leaders must stay reachable and caring.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 657 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 657