The State: Faith and Leadership: Selections from the Hadith, Part 2 of 2

Today, we are pleased to share selected passages from Chapter XXXI of “A Manual of Hadith” by Maulana Muhammad Ali. This chapter highlights how governance and faith came together to build a just and righteous society under Divine accountability.

Chapter XXXI The State - continuation

[…] The Khalīfah was a paid servant of the State, like all other public servants. No public servant could accept gifts from the public. Those entrusted with carrying on the work of government, including the head, were required to work for the good of the people to be gentle to them, to lead simple lives, to be easily accessible, to be God-fearing.

'Ā'ishah said, When Abū Bakr was chosen as successor (to the Prophet), he said, My people know that the profession I followed was by no means lacking in supporting my family; and now I am occupied with the affairs of the Muslims, and so the family of Abu Bakr will eat out of this (public) treasury, and he (Abu Bakr) will do work for the Muslims.

Ma'qil said, I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, say: “There is not a man whom Allāh grants to rule people, then he does not manage their affairs for (their) good but he will not smell the sweet odor of paradise.”

Abū Burdah said, The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, sent Abu Mūsā and Mu'adh ibn Jabal to Yaman, and He appointed each one of them to govern a part of Yaman, and He said, Yaman was divided into two parts; then He said “Be gentle (to the people) and be not hard (on them), and make (them) rejoice and do not incite (them) to aversion.”

It is reported about 'Umar that when he appointed his governors, he laid down upon them certain conditions: You shall not ride a horse that is not of Arabian breed; you shall not eat bread made of fine flour; you shall not wear fine clothes; and you shall not shut your doors against the needs of the people. If you do any of these things, punishment shall descend on you. Then he went forth with them to bid them farewell.

Hasan said, Allāh has given orders to the rulers that they shall not follow their low desires, and shall not fear people, and shall not take a small price for Allāh's injunctions. […]