1 00:00:00,780 --> 00:00:09,779 *Riyadh al-Salihin* from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 2 00:00:09,779 --> 00:00:19,760 Chapter: The obligation upon rulers to show gentleness, sincerity, and compassion to their subjects, 3 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,760 and the prohibition against deceiving them, being harsh with them, 4 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,760 neglecting their welfare, and being heedless of them and their needs. 5 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,549 Allah Almighty said: 6 00:00:32,549 --> 00:00:36,549 “And lower thy wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow thee.” (26:215) 7 00:00:36,549 --> 00:00:38,649 And He Almighty said: 8 00:00:38,649 --> 00:00:44,649 “Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.” (16:90) 9 00:00:44,649 --> 00:00:48,649 “Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.” (16:90) 10 00:00:48,649 --> 00:00:52,649 "He admonishes you so that you may take heed." 11 00:00:52,649 --> 00:00:57,929 On the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 12 00:00:57,929 --> 00:01:01,929 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: 13 00:01:01,929 --> 00:01:07,930 "Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you is responsible for his flock. 14 00:01:07,930 --> 00:01:11,959 The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; 15 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:16,959 the man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock; 16 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:22,989 the woman is a shepherdess in her husband's home and is responsible for her flock; 17 00:01:22,989 --> 00:01:28,989 the servant is a shepherd over his master's wealth and is responsible for his flock; 18 00:01:28,989 --> 00:01:32,989 indeed, every one of you is a shepherd and responsible for his flock." 19 00:01:32,989 --> 00:01:34,989 Agreed upon. 20 00:01:34,989 --> 00:01:40,250 And on the authority of Abu Ya'la Ma'qil ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 21 00:01:40,250 --> 00:01:45,250 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: 22 00:01:45,250 --> 00:01:49,250 "No servant is entrusted by Allah with the care of a flock, 23 00:01:49,250 --> 00:01:53,250 and dies on the day he dies while having been deceitful toward his flock, 24 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:57,250 except that Allah forbids Paradise for him." 25 00:01:57,250 --> 00:01:59,310 Agreed upon. 26 00:01:59,310 --> 00:02:03,310 And in another narration: "and does not encompass them with his sincere counsel, 27 00:02:03,310 --> 00:02:06,469 he will not even perceive the fragrance of Paradise." 28 00:02:06,469 --> 00:02:08,469 And in a narration by Muslim: 29 00:02:08,469 --> 00:02:12,469 "No ruler is appointed over the affairs of the Muslims, 30 00:02:12,469 --> 00:02:15,469 and then fails to strive diligently on their behalf and advise them sincerely, 31 00:02:15,469 --> 00:02:18,469 except that he will not enter Paradise with them." 32 00:02:18,469 --> 00:02:21,110 "Entrusted with the care of" (*yustar'ihi*) 33 00:02:21,110 --> 00:02:25,110 means delegating to him the guardianship and governance of his subjects. 34 00:02:25,110 --> 00:02:27,210 "Deceitful" (*ghashsh*) 35 00:02:27,210 --> 00:02:30,210 means betraying them and neglecting their rights. 36 00:02:30,210 --> 00:02:33,300 “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers.” (5:72) 37 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:37,300 That is, he will not enter it alongside the successful ones at the very beginning, 38 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:42,530 or not at all, if he deemed deceiving and betraying the Muslims to be lawful. 39 00:02:42,530 --> 00:02:44,530 "Does not encompass them" 40 00:02:44,530 --> 00:02:47,530 means he did not protect them or safeguard their rights. 41 00:02:47,530 --> 00:02:49,689 "Fails to strive diligently on their behalf" 42 00:02:49,689 --> 00:02:52,689 means he does not exert himself for their sake. 43 00:02:52,689 --> 00:02:56,810 Among the lessons of the hadith: 44 00:02:56,810 --> 00:02:58,810 The fundamental duty of rulers 45 00:02:58,810 --> 00:03:00,810 is to exert every effort in offering sincere advice to the Ummah, 46 00:03:00,810 --> 00:03:04,810 guiding it toward the obedience of Allah Almighty, 47 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:07,810 and helping them establish the Sacred Law of Allah Almighty 48 00:03:07,810 --> 00:03:11,259 within themselves and among their families. 49 00:03:11,259 --> 00:03:14,259 A definitive warning and a severe threat 50 00:03:14,259 --> 00:03:16,259 against tyrannical rulers 51 00:03:16,259 --> 00:03:19,259 who neglect the rights of their subjects, 52 00:03:19,259 --> 00:03:25,500 betray the interests of their Ummah, and bring them to ruin. 53 00:03:25,500 --> 00:03:28,500 On the authority of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: 54 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:32,500 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 55 00:03:32,500 --> 00:03:34,500 say in this house of mine: 56 00:03:34,500 --> 00:03:38,500 "O Allah, whoever is given authority over any affair of my Ummah 57 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:42,539 and makes things difficult for them, make things difficult for him; 58 00:03:42,539 --> 00:03:45,539 and whoever is given authority over any affair of my Ummah 59 00:03:45,539 --> 00:03:48,539 and is gentle with them, be gentle with him." 60 00:03:48,539 --> 00:03:52,430 Transmitted by Muslim. 61 00:03:52,430 --> 00:03:56,430 "Makes things difficult for them" means he constricts and burdens them unduly, 62 00:03:56,430 --> 00:03:59,620 unjustifiably, whether in word or deed. 63 00:03:59,620 --> 00:04:03,620 "Is gentle" means he is soft-hearted and compassionate toward them, 64 00:04:03,620 --> 00:04:07,620 safeguarding their rights in word and deed. 65 00:04:07,620 --> 00:04:11,259 Among the lessons of the hadith: 66 00:04:11,259 --> 00:04:13,259 Recompense corresponds to the nature of the deed: 67 00:04:13,259 --> 00:04:17,259 if a ruler burdens his Ummah and brings hardship upon them, 68 00:04:17,259 --> 00:04:20,259 Allah will inflict worldly hardships upon him 69 00:04:20,259 --> 00:04:22,259 by setting his enemies over him, 70 00:04:22,259 --> 00:04:25,259 and with various forms of torment in the Hereafter. 71 00:04:25,259 --> 00:04:28,779 The Prophet's eager concern, peace be upon him, 72 00:04:28,779 --> 00:04:33,779 for the well-being of his Ummah after him and his compassion toward them. 73 00:04:33,779 --> 00:04:38,990 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 74 00:04:38,990 --> 00:04:42,990 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 75 00:04:42,990 --> 00:04:46,990 "The Children of Israel were governed by prophets; 76 00:04:46,990 --> 00:04:50,990 whenever a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. 77 00:04:50,990 --> 00:04:53,990 But indeed, there is no prophet after me, 78 00:04:53,990 --> 00:04:56,990 and there will be caliphs after me, and they will be numerous." 79 00:04:56,990 --> 00:04:59,990 They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, 80 00:04:59,990 --> 00:05:01,990 what do you command us to do?" 81 00:05:01,990 --> 00:05:05,990 He said: "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first, then the next. 82 00:05:05,990 --> 00:05:08,990 Give them their due rights, 83 00:05:08,990 --> 00:05:11,990 and ask Allah for what is rightfully yours, 84 00:05:11,990 --> 00:05:14,990 for Allah will question them about what He entrusted to their care." 85 00:05:14,990 --> 00:05:18,699 Agreed upon. 86 00:05:18,699 --> 00:05:21,699 "Governed them" (*tasusuhum*) means caring for their affairs. 87 00:05:21,699 --> 00:05:25,759 "They will be numerous" means their numbers will multiply. 88 00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:28,920 "Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first" 89 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:30,920 means adhere to the allegiance given to him, 90 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,920 and fulfill his right of obedience by fighting whoever rebels against him 91 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,529 and defies his authority. 92 00:05:37,529 --> 00:05:39,529 Among the lessons of the hadith: 93 00:05:39,529 --> 00:05:43,750 The subjects must have a leader who attends to their affairs, 94 00:05:43,750 --> 00:05:46,750 steers them along the straight path, 95 00:05:46,750 --> 00:05:50,170 and protects them from the evil of oppressors. 96 00:05:50,170 --> 00:05:52,170 Those in authority (*ulu al-amr*) in this Ummah 97 00:05:52,170 --> 00:05:55,170 are the caliphs and the scholars, 98 00:05:55,170 --> 00:05:59,170 because there is no prophet after Muhammad, peace be upon him; 99 00:05:59,170 --> 00:06:03,170 thus, they are the ones who govern and care for the Ummah, 100 00:06:03,170 --> 00:06:07,620 enveloping it with sincere counsel and guidance. 101 00:06:07,620 --> 00:06:11,620 The subjects have the right to ask their rulers for gentleness 102 00:06:11,620 --> 00:06:15,620 and for exertion of effort in looking after their welfare. 103 00:06:15,620 --> 00:06:19,129 Giving priority to religious matters over worldly matters, 104 00:06:19,129 --> 00:06:22,129 because the Prophet, peace be upon him, 105 00:06:22,129 --> 00:06:25,129 commanded fulfilling the right of the ruler 106 00:06:25,129 --> 00:06:28,129 for the sake of elevating the word of the religion 107 00:06:28,129 --> 00:06:30,610 and suppressing civil strife (*fitnah*). 108 00:06:30,610 --> 00:06:34,610 The pledge of allegiance is only obligatory to the single leader of the Muslim community. 109 00:06:34,610 --> 00:06:39,149 It is not permissible to contract the pledge of allegiance to two caliphs at the same time; 110 00:06:39,149 --> 00:06:42,149 rather, it is binding only for the first. 111 00:06:42,149 --> 00:06:44,149 Whoever rises to contest his authority, 112 00:06:44,149 --> 00:06:48,149 he must be executed, whomever he may be. 113 00:06:48,149 --> 00:06:50,759 The immense responsibility of the ruler, 114 00:06:50,759 --> 00:06:56,759 for Allah will question him concerning his governance and his subjects. 115 00:06:56,759 --> 00:07:02,110 This hadith is among the signs of his prophethood, peace be upon him, 116 00:07:02,110 --> 00:07:05,110 as it foretells what would occur within this Ummah 117 00:07:05,110 --> 00:07:07,110 regarding the multiplicity of rulers, 118 00:07:07,110 --> 00:07:10,110 their disputes, and their rivalry. 119 00:07:10,110 --> 00:07:14,389 On the authority of 'A'idh ibn 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him), 120 00:07:14,389 --> 00:07:18,389 who entered upon 'Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad 121 00:07:18,389 --> 00:07:20,389 and said to him: 122 00:07:20,389 --> 00:07:21,389 "O my son, 123 00:07:21,389 --> 00:07:26,389 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 124 00:07:26,389 --> 00:07:29,389 'The worst of shepherds are the cruel and oppressive,' 125 00:07:29,389 --> 00:07:32,389 so beware of being one of them." 126 00:07:32,389 --> 00:07:34,389 Agreed upon. 127 00:07:34,389 --> 00:07:37,579 On the authority of Abu Maryam al-Azdi (may Allah be pleased with him), 128 00:07:37,579 --> 00:07:41,579 who said to Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him): 129 00:07:41,579 --> 00:07:46,579 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 130 00:07:46,579 --> 00:07:50,579 "Whoever is entrusted by Allah with any affair of the Muslims, 131 00:07:50,579 --> 00:07:55,579 yet conceals himself from their needs, destitution, and poverty, 132 00:07:55,579 --> 00:08:01,579 Allah will conceal Himself from his needs, destitution, and poverty on the Day of Resurrection." 133 00:08:01,579 --> 00:08:05,740 Thereupon, Mu'awiyah appointed a man to attend to the needs of the people. 134 00:08:05,740 --> 00:08:10,100 Transmitted by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi. 135 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:17,089 "Conceals himself" means he ignores their welfare, hides from their petitions, 136 00:08:17,089 --> 00:08:21,089 and prevents those in need from reaching him. 137 00:08:21,089 --> 00:08:25,410 "Their destitution" (*khallatahum*) means their need and poverty. 138 00:08:25,410 --> 00:08:29,180 Among the lessons of the hadith: 139 00:08:29,180 --> 00:08:31,370 Recompense corresponds to the nature of the deed: 140 00:08:31,370 --> 00:08:37,370 whoever hides himself from the servants of Allah, Allah will conceal Himself from him on the Day of Summoning. 141 00:08:37,370 --> 00:08:42,779 A warning to rulers against turning away from fulfilling the needs of their subjects 142 00:08:42,779 --> 00:08:45,779 and preventing them from gaining access to them, 143 00:08:45,779 --> 00:08:49,779 because people need a leader to ward off injustice from them, 144 00:08:49,779 --> 00:08:54,779 restore rights to their owners, and alleviate their poverty. 145 00:08:54,779 --> 00:09:01,330 The swiftness of the Companions in adhering to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 146 00:09:01,330 --> 00:09:05,330 and their profound fear of meeting Allah. 147 00:09:05,330 --> 00:09:09,460 For here is Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with them both): 148 00:09:09,460 --> 00:09:12,460 when this hadith reached him, 149 00:09:12,460 --> 00:09:18,460 he hastened to appoint a man to oversee and fulfill the needs of the people. 150 00:09:18,460 --> 00:09:22,000 An isolated narration (*khabar al-wahid*) is authoritative in itself, 151 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:26,000 which is why Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) acted upon it. 152 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:32,419 The hadith contains proof of the believers seeing their Lord on the Day of Resurrection, 153 00:09:32,419 --> 00:09:38,419 for when Allah, Glorified and Exalted, conceals Himself from His enemies so that they do not see Him, 154 00:09:38,419 --> 00:09:41,419 He manifests Himself to His allies so that they gaze upon Him. 155 00:09:41,419 --> 00:09:45,419 The confirmation of that is found in the Book of Allah Almighty: 156 00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:51,419 “Nay, but surely on that day they will be covered from (the mercy of) their Lord.” (83:15) 157 00:09:51,419 --> 00:09:57,419 And this verse was cited by al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) as proof for this issue. 158 00:09:57,419 --> 00:10:03,070 Chapter: The Just Ruler. 159 00:10:03,070 --> 00:10:10,639 Allah Almighty said: "Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence." 160 00:10:10,639 --> 00:10:17,639 And He Almighty said: "And act justly; indeed, Allah loves the just." 161 00:10:17,639 --> 00:10:21,889 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 162 00:10:21,889 --> 00:10:25,889 from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: 163 00:10:25,889 --> 00:10:31,889 "Seven whom Allah will shade under His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His: 164 00:10:31,889 --> 00:10:33,919 a just ruler; 165 00:10:33,919 --> 00:10:37,919 a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah Almighty; 166 00:10:37,919 --> 00:10:41,919 a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; 167 00:10:41,919 --> 00:10:44,919 two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, 168 00:10:44,919 --> 00:10:48,919 meeting for His sake and parting for His sake; 169 00:10:48,919 --> 00:10:53,019 a man who is invited by a woman of noble status and beauty, 170 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:56,019 yet he says: 'Indeed, I fear Allah'; 171 00:10:56,019 --> 00:10:59,080 a man who gives charity 172 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:05,080 and conceals it such that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent; 173 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:10,110 and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes overflow with tears." 174 00:11:10,110 --> 00:11:12,240 Agreed upon. 175 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:17,620 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 176 00:11:17,620 --> 00:11:21,620 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 177 00:11:21,620 --> 00:11:26,659 "Indeed, the just will be with Allah upon pulpits of light: 178 00:11:26,659 --> 00:11:31,690 those who are just in their rulings, toward their families, and over whatever authority they hold." 179 00:11:31,690 --> 00:11:33,779 Transmitted by Muslim. 180 00:11:33,779 --> 00:11:38,649 "In their rulings" means in their judicial decisions. 181 00:11:38,649 --> 00:11:44,809 "Whatever authority they hold" means whatever has been placed under their governance and stewardship. 182 00:11:44,809 --> 00:11:48,610 Among the lessons of the hadith: 183 00:11:48,610 --> 00:11:51,830 The virtue of justice and the encouragement toward it. 184 00:11:51,830 --> 00:11:55,279 Responsibility in the Muslim community is shared, 185 00:11:55,279 --> 00:12:01,279 and the matter of governance extends to every stewardship, whether large or small, 186 00:12:01,279 --> 00:12:06,279 even reaching a man's care of his family and a woman's care of her household. 187 00:12:06,279 --> 00:12:11,730 The exalted status of the just with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. 188 00:12:11,730 --> 00:12:16,139 The variation in the ranks of the people of faith on the Day of Resurrection, 189 00:12:16,139 --> 00:12:19,139 each according to his deeds. 190 00:12:19,139 --> 00:12:24,330 On the authority of 'Awf ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 191 00:12:24,330 --> 00:12:29,330 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 192 00:12:29,330 --> 00:12:35,330 "The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you, 193 00:12:35,330 --> 00:12:39,330 for whom you pray and who pray for you; 194 00:12:39,330 --> 00:12:45,330 and the worst of your leaders are those whom you hate and who hate you, 195 00:12:45,330 --> 00:12:48,330 whom you curse and who curse you." 196 00:12:48,330 --> 00:12:53,389 He said: We said, "O Messenger of Allah, should we not overthrow them?" 197 00:12:53,389 --> 00:12:58,389 He said: "No, as long as they establish the prayer among you; 198 00:12:58,389 --> 00:13:02,389 no, as long as they establish the prayer among you." 199 00:13:02,389 --> 00:13:04,490 Transmitted by Muslim. 200 00:13:04,490 --> 00:13:09,620 His saying "you pray for them" means you supplicate for them. 201 00:13:09,620 --> 00:13:13,059 Among the lessons of the hadith: 202 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:17,340 The Ummah must inevitably have a leader, whether righteous or wicked: 203 00:13:17,340 --> 00:13:20,340 as for the righteous one, his benefit is obvious, 204 00:13:20,340 --> 00:13:26,340 As for the wicked ruler, Allah may indeed support this religion through a wicked man, 205 00:13:26,340 --> 00:13:30,340 and through him, legal punishments are established, highways are secured, 206 00:13:30,340 --> 00:13:34,340 the enemy is fought, and war revenues are distributed. 207 00:13:34,340 --> 00:13:37,820 Leaders should be urged to maintain justice among the subjects, 208 00:13:37,820 --> 00:13:40,820 so that mutual harmony may be fostered between them. 209 00:13:40,820 --> 00:13:46,269 People should be urged to obey those in authority in matters that do not involve sin. 210 00:13:46,269 --> 00:13:50,820 It is impermissible to rebel against the authority of the rulers 211 00:13:50,820 --> 00:13:55,820 as long as they uphold the rites of Islam and do not display open disbelief. 212 00:13:55,820 --> 00:14:01,230 It is recommended to pray for a believing ruler to have success and sound guidance, 213 00:14:01,230 --> 00:14:07,230 and for a deviant one to receive guidance and righteousness, in an unrestricted prayer, 214 00:14:07,230 --> 00:14:11,230 without restricting such prayers solely to the Friday sermon or the two Eid sermons, 215 00:14:11,230 --> 00:14:14,230 for that was an innovation introduced by certain rulers 216 00:14:14,230 --> 00:14:18,230 to ensure that their subjects remained firmly under their grip. 217 00:14:18,230 --> 00:14:21,620 Clarifying the vital importance of prayer, 218 00:14:21,620 --> 00:14:25,620 and that it is the pillar of the religion and one of its fundamental pillars. 219 00:14:25,620 --> 00:14:30,799 On the authority of 'Iyad ibn Himar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 220 00:14:30,799 --> 00:14:35,799 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: 221 00:14:35,799 --> 00:14:37,799 "The people of Paradise are of three kinds: 222 00:14:37,799 --> 00:14:41,799 A just ruler who is divinely guided to doing good; 223 00:14:41,799 --> 00:14:47,799 a merciful man who is soft-hearted toward every relative and Muslim; 224 00:14:47,799 --> 00:14:51,799 and a chaste, self-restrained man who has dependents." 225 00:14:51,799 --> 00:14:53,799 Narrated by Muslim. 226 00:14:53,799 --> 00:14:58,700 Whomever among the rulers Allah Almighty intends good for, 227 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:01,700 He grants him success in establishing justice among his subjects, 228 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:04,700 treating them with benevolence, and offering them sincere counsel. 229 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:10,299 Encouraging treating all people with gentleness and kindness. 230 00:15:10,299 --> 00:15:17,139 The virtue of refraining from begging and seeking provision through honest earning. 231 00:15:17,139 --> 00:15:23,139 Justice, benevolence, and chastity are noble traits that necessitate entry into Paradise. 232 00:15:23,139 --> 00:15:27,870 Riyad al-Salihin.