Having praised the just ruler, the collection now addresses the harder reality of living under leaders who may be flawed. The principle is captured in the phrase as-sam' wat-ta'ah, to listen and obey, balanced against a firm limit, la ta'ata li-makhluqin fi ma'siyat al-Khaliq, no obedience to any creature in disobedience to the Creator.
Read across these hadith, two threads run side by side. One urges patience, unity, and obedience to those in authority even when they fall short, warning against splitting from the community. The other draws a clear red line: a command to sin is never to be followed. Note too that obeying a leader in what is right is tied back to obeying Allah and His Messenger, while the believer's own duties remain his to fulfil regardless of how others behave. Where these reports brush against questions of governance and authority, the broad lesson is spiritual, ordering, patience and sincerity, while the detailed rulings belong to the scholars.
Hadith 662
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “على المرء المسلم السمع والطاعة فيما أحب وكره، إلا أن يؤمر بمعصية، فإذا أمر بمعصية فلا سمع ولا طاعة” ((متفق عليه))
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is obligatory upon a Muslim to listen (to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not, except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing; in such case, there is no obligation to listen or to obey." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
A Muslim should listen to and obey those in authority whether he likes it or not, with one clear exception: there is no obedience in a command to sin. Obey within the bounds of what is right.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 662 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 662
Hadith 663
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعنه قال: كنا إذا بايعنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على السمع والطاعة يقول لنا: “فيما استطعتم” ((متفق عليه))
Whenever we took a pledge of allegiance to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to hear and obey, he (ﷺ) would say to us, "As far as you are capable of." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Even the pledge to hear and obey was qualified by the Prophet with the words as far as you are able. Obedience is asked within a person's genuine capacity.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 663 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 663
Hadith 664
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول “من خلع يداً من طاعة لقي الله يوم القيامة ولا حجة له، ومن مات وليس في عنقه بيعة مات ميتة جاهلية” ((رواه مسلم)). وفي رواية له: “ومن مات وهو مفارق للجماعة، فإنه يموت ميتة جاهلية” ((رواه مسلم)). وفي رواية له: “ومن مات وهو مفارق للجماعة، فإنه يموت ميتة جاهلية”.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "One who withdraws his hand from obedience (to the Amir) will find no argument (in his defense) when he stands before Allah on the Day of Resurrection; and one who dies without having sworn allegiance will die the death of one belonging to the Days of Ignorance." [Muslim]. Another narration is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who dies having defected from obedience (to the Amir) and discards his association with the main body of the (Muslim) community, dies the death of one belonging to the Days of Jahiliyyah."
In plain words
The Prophet warned against breaking away from rightful authority and from the unity of the community. Staying within the group and honoring legitimate leadership matters greatly.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 664 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 664
Hadith 665
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “اسمعوا وأطيعوا، وإن استعمل عليكم عبد حبشي، كأن رأسه زبيبة” ((رواه البخارى)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Hear and obey even if an Abyssinian slave whose head is like a raisin is placed in authority over you." [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
Hear and obey rightful leadership even if the one placed over you is of humble origin. Authority is to be respected regardless of a leader's background.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 665 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 665
Hadith 666
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “عليك السمع والطاعة في عسرك ويسرك ومنشطك، ومكرهك وأثرة عليك” ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It is obligatory upon you to listen and obey the orders of the ruler in prosperity and adversity, whether you are willing or unwilling, or when someone is given undue preference to you." [Muslim].
In plain words
A Muslim is told to listen and obey in ease and hardship, willingly or not, even when others are unfairly favored over him. Patience with leadership is asked in good times and bad.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 666 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 666
Hadith 667
'Abdullah bin 'Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما قال: كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في سفر، فنزلنا منزلاً، فمنا من يصلح خباءه، ومنا من ينتضل، ومنا من هو في جشره، إذ نادى منادي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الصلاة جامعة. فاجتمعنا إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: “إنه لم يكن نبي قبلي إلا كان حقاً عليه أن يدل أمته على خير ما يعلمه لهم، وينذرهم شر ما يعلمه لهم، وإن أمتكم هذه جعل عاقبتها في أولها، وسيصيب آخرها بلاء وأمور تنكرونها، وتجئ فتن يرقق بعضها بعضاً، وتجئ الفتنة فيقول المؤمن : هذه مهلكتي، ثم تنكشف؛ وتجئ الفتنة فيقول المؤمن: هذه هذه، فمن أحب أن يزحزح عن النار، ويدخل الجنة، فلتأته منيته وهو يؤمن بالله واليوم الأخر، وليأت إلى الناس الذى يحب أن يؤتى إليه. ومن بايع إماماً فأعطاه صفقة يده، وثمرة قلبه، فليطعه إن استطاع، فإن جاء آخر ينازعه، فاضربوا عنق الآخر” ((رواه مسلم)).. قوله: “ينتضل” أى : يسابق بالرمي بالنبل والنشاب. “والجشر” بفتح الجيم والشين المعجمة وبالراء: وهى الدواب التى ترعى وتبيت مكانها. وقوله: “يرقق بعضها بعضاً” أى: يصير بعضها بعضا رقيقاً، أى :خفيفاً لعظم ما بعده، فالثانى يرقق الأول. وقيل: معناه، يشوق بعضها إلى بعض بتحسينها وتسويليها، وقيل: يشبه بعضها بعضاً.
We accompanied Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey. We halted at a place to take a rest. Some of us began to set right their tents, others began to graze their animals while others were engaged in competing with one another in archery when an announcer of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) announced that people should gather for Salat. We gathered around the Messenger of Allah and he ((ﷺ)) addressed us, saying, "Every Prophet before me was under obligation to guide his followers to what he knew was good for them and to warn the evil thing which he knew. As for this Ummah, it will have sound state and in its early stage of existence; but the last phase of its existence, will be faced with trials and with things you do not recognize. There will be tremendous trials, one after the other, and to each the believer will say, 'That is it'. Whenever a trial arrives the believer will say: 'This is going to bring about my destruction.' When this passes, another calamity will approach and he will say: 'This surely is going to be my end.' Whosoever wishes to be removed from the Fire (Hell) and admitted to Jannah should die with faith in Allah and the Last Day; and he should treat others as he wishes to be treated. He who swears allegiance to an Imam, he should give him the pledge in ratification and the sincerity of his heart. He should obey him to the best of his capacity. If another man comes forward as a claimant (when one has already been installed), behead the second." [Muslim].
In plain words
Foretelling fierce trials ahead, the Prophet said whoever wants Paradise should die in faith and treat others as he wishes to be treated, and should give a leader sincere allegiance and obey him as best he can. Hold to faith and good conduct through troubled times.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 667 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 667
Hadith 668
Wa'il bin Hujr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى هنيدة وائل بن حجر رضي الله عنه قال: سأل سلمة بن يزيد الجعفي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال: يا نبي الله، أرأيت إن قامت علينا امراء يسألونا حقهم، ويمنعونا حقنا، فما تأمرنا؟ فأعرض عنه، ثم سأله، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “اسمعوا وأطيعو؛ فإنما عليهما حملوا، وعليكم ماحملتم” ((رواه مسلم)).
Salamah bin Yazid Al-Ju'f (May Allah be pleased with him) asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "O Prophet of Allah! Tell us, what you command us to do if there arises over us rulers who demand of us what is due to them and refuse us what is due to us." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned away from him, but he repeated the same question. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Listen to them and obey them. They are responsible for their obligations and you are accountable for yours." [Muslim].
In plain words
Asked what to do under rulers who take their rights but withhold the people's, the Prophet said to listen and obey, for leaders answer for their duties and people for theirs. Fulfill your own obligations and leave their account to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 668 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 668
Hadith 669
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “إنها ستكون بعدى أثرة، وأمور تنكرونها!” قالوا: يا رسول الله، كيف تأمر من أدرك منا ذلك؟ قال: “تؤدون الحق الذى عليكم، وتسألون الله الذى لكم” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There will be discrimination after my death and there will be other matters that you will disapprove." He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! What do you command us to do when we are encountered with such happenings?" He answered, "Give what is due from you and supplicate to Allah for your rights." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Warned of unfairness to come, the Companions were told to give what they owe and ask Allah for what is owed to them. Do your part and entrust your rights to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 669 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 669
Hadith 670
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “من أطاعني فقد أطاع الله، ومن عصاني فقد عصى الله، ومن يطع الأمير فقد أطاعني، ومن يعص الأمير فقد عصاني” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever obeys me, obeys Allah; and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah; and whosoever obeys the Amir (leader), in fact, obeys me; and he who disobeys the Amir, in fact, disobeys me." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Obeying the Prophet is obeying Allah, and obeying a rightful leader is obeying the Prophet, just as disobedience runs the same chain. Lawful authority is linked back to obedience to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 670 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 670
Hadith 671
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “من كره من أميره شيئاً فليصبر، فإنه من خرج من السلطان شبراً مات ميتة جاهلية” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If a person notices in his ruler what he dislikes, he should show patience because he who departs from the (Muslim) community a cubit, dies like those who died in the Days of Ignorance." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
If a person sees something he dislikes in his ruler, he should be patient rather than break away from the community. Splitting off is treated as a serious matter.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 671 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 671
Hadith 672
Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى بكرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “من أهان السلطان أهانه الله” ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)). وفي الباب أحاديث كثيرة في الصحيح ، وقد سبق بعضها في أبواب.
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "He who insults the rulers Allah will insult him." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
The Prophet warned that whoever insults those in authority will himself be disgraced by Allah. Contempt for rightful leaders carries a cost.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 672 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 672