What Is Required Upon The Imam In The Case Of Those Under Him Sunan Abi Dawud 2928
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ "أَلاَ كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ فَالأَمِيرُ الَّذِي عَلَى النَّاسِ رَاعٍ عَلَيْهِمْ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ عَلَى بَيْتِ بَعْلِهَا وَوَلَدِهِ وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالَعَبْدُ رَاعٍ عَلَى مَالِ سَيِّدِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُ فَكُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ "
Translation
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed, every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you is responsible for his flock. The ruler who is in charge of the people is a shepherd and is responsible for them; a man is a shepherd for the members of his household and is responsible for them; a woman is a shepherd over her husband's house and his children and is responsible for them; and a slave is a shepherd over his master's property and is responsible for it. Thus, every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you is responsible for his flock."
Tribute, Spoils, and Rulership (Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai' Wal-Imarah)
Sunan Abi Dawud 2928
Hadith Commentary
This profound hadith establishes the universal principle of responsibility (mas'uliyyah) in Islamic governance and social structure. The Prophet ﷺ employs the metaphor of shepherding (ri'ayah) to illustrate that authority is fundamentally a trust (amanah) from Allah, not a privilege.
The ruler's responsibility encompasses justice, protection of rights, and proper administration of public affairs. His flock includes all citizens under his care, and he will be questioned about his stewardship on the Day of Judgment.
The householder's responsibility extends to religious and worldly education, provision, and moral guidance for his family. He must prevent them from that which Allah has forbidden.
The woman's responsibility in her husband's household demonstrates the honor Islam grants to domestic management and child-rearing, making these acts of worship when performed with righteous intention.
Even the servant's responsibility over his master's property shows that all work, when performed with integrity and faithfulness, becomes an act of devotion to Allah.
This comprehensive teaching establishes that Islam makes every individual accountable according to their capacity and position, creating a society where each member conscientiously fulfills their duties.